Paddington 3 has a title and a director

The adorable, impossibly polite bear in a blue coat – who warmed our hearts alongside the Queen in the recent Jubilee – will return to our screens for a new adventure soon.

There is a very strong argument to be made that Paddington 2 is not just the best film sequel of all time, but the best film of all time. Period. The second big screen adventure of the most polite, joyous bear is infectiously charming and entertaining, but since Paddington 2 premiered in 2017, there’s been a bear-shaped hole in our hearts. 

This should be changing soon as it’s been reported that Paddington 3 has both a title and a new director. Paul King helmed the first two Paddington films and gained plenty of critical acclaim with his funny and warm take on the classic bear, first appearing in 1958 in a book by Michael Bond. Paddington has since appeared in over 20 books as well as in several TV adaptations. 

King is unfortunately busy with his Willy Wonka adaptation, starring Timothée Chalamet, but fear not. Dougal Wilson is stepping up to take the reins on the sequel. Wilson is mostly known for working in adverts and music videos and will be making his feature film debut with the new Paddington film, titled Paddington in Peru. 

You may have guessed from the title, but the third film in the franchise will see Paddington depart dear old London for Peru, his home country. Other plot details are strictly confidential, but production is expected to begin in both London and Peru next year. King will still serve as an executive producer on the story and the cast, whilst Ben Whishaw (as the voice of Paddington) and Hugh Bonneville are expected to return.