Given the critical and commercial success of the first two movies, it will come as little surprise that development is underway on a third Paddington movie, although it’s likely we’ll be seeing a new director coming on board given the hectic schedule of filmmaker Paul King.
“We’re developing a third Paddington,” producer David Heyman tells Collider. “We haven’t got a script yet, we’ve got a treatment which we’re still working on. I don’t think Paul King will direct the third. He did the first two – he and I are working on another project together. He’s very special, Paul. Paul is involved in it, I wanted him to be involved in it because I think he’s such a significant voice, but I don’t think he’ll direct it. He worked on the idea. He comes up with the idea with Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton and then they develop it and come back for more, back and forth, and then it’ll get written and Paul will come in and stir it up a little bit.”
The other project that Heyman refers to is Warner Bros.’ planned Willy Wonka prequel movie, which King signed on to direct earlier this year.
Between them, Paddington and Paddington 2 grossed almost $500 million at the global box office, while the latter holds a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has the distinction of being the site’s best-reviewed movie of all time.
Check out our exclusive Paddington 2 interviews here…
