Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson Join Paddington 2 as Filming Begins

Producer David Heyman and StudioCanal announced today the start of principal photography for Paul King’s highly-anticipated Paddington 2, revealing that Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson join the all-star returning cast of Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy. Paddington 2 is now in production.

The sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…

Hugh Grant plays Windsor Gardens’ local celebrity, Phoenix Buchanan, a vain, charming acting legend whose star has fallen somewhat in recent years. Brendan Gleeson plays “Knuckles” McGinty, a notorious safe-cracker and legendary strongman who becomes an unexpected new ally for Paddington.

A Heyday Films and StudioCanal production, Paddington’s return to the big screen is helmed by BAFTA-nominated director Paul King (Paddington, Come Fly with Me, The Mighty Boosh) written by Paul King and Simon Farnaby (Paddington, Yonderland and the forthcoming Mindhorn).

Paddington 2 is produced by multi award-winning David Heyman (producer of all eight of the Harry Potter films, Gravity, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them).

Paul King commented: “It has been a complete joy to return to the world of Paddington. It was such a delight to see his first big screen adventure embraced by audiences around the world, and I couldn’t be more excited about Hugh and Brendan joining the cast to bring his next outing to life. Together, I hope we can make a film worthy of this most exceptional of bears.”

David Heyman said: “I am thrilled to be back in the warm embrace of Paddington Bear, again under the inspired direction of Paul King. And I’m delighted to welcome Hugh and Brendan to our exceptional cast.”

Ron Halpern, EVP of International Productions and Acquisitions for StudioCanal added: “‘Paddington’ is such a beloved film for all of us at StudioCanal. There really is nothing which could make us all happier than to be back with Paul King, David Heyman and this wonderful cast to begin a new Paddington adventure.”

StudioCanal developed the film, is fully financing and will distribute in the UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and is handling international sales.

Paddington is the highest grossing independent (non-US studio) family film of all-time, grossing $270 million worldwide. Paddington 2 is based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children’s stories by British author Michael Bond.

The StudioCanal release dates for the sequel, include: UK, November 10, 2017; France, December 6, 2017; Germany, December 7, 2017; Australia,  December 26, 2017; and New Zealand, December 26, 2017.