Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Rachel Zegler Join ‘Paddington in Peru’

And in a surprise switch, Emily Mortimer is taking over from Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown, even as the other main stars return.

(Left) Olivia Colman as Special Agent Sonya Falsworth in Marvel Studios' 'Secret Invasion,' exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Gareth Gatrell. © 2023 MARVEL. (Center) Antonio Banderas in Lucasfilm's 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.' ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved. (Right) Rachel Zegler as Anthea in New Line Cinema’s action adventure 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

After the first two ‘Paddington’ movies scored near universal acclaim, made more than $500 million worldwide and earned BAFTA nominations, a third is finally ready to go into production.

We’d already learned that it will be titled ‘Paddington in Peru’ and now, per Variety, there is some casting news to share with cameras due to roll next month.

Paddington in Peru

"A little bear goes a long way."

PG1 hr 46 minJan 17th, 2025

Showtimes & Tickets

Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues... Read the Plot

Much of it is good news on the casting front –– Olivia Colman (who seems to be everywhere at the moment, between ‘Secret Invasion’ and ‘The Bear’), Antonio Banderas and Rachel Zegler are all aboard.

But in a move that might cause consternation for ‘Paddington’ fans, Sally Hawkins won’t return as Mrs. Brown. Instead, Emily Mortimer will take over the role.

Emily Mortimer, writer, director, and co-star in 'The Pursuit of Love'

Hawkins issued a statement about her decision to step away:

“For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one can’t get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special. She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddington’s world. I already greatly miss my on- and off-screen family — the experience of making the first two films has truly been some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film. They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed.”

Fret not for the other usual stars, though –– Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin will be back as Mr. Brown, Mrs. Bird, Mr. Gruber, Judy and Jonathan Brown respectively. Ben Whishaw is once again voicing Paddington, while Imelda Staunton will return to voice Aunt Lucy.

Which leads us on new information about the plot…

What will happen in ‘Paddington in Peru’?

StudioCanal's 'Paddington 2.'

Who is making ‘Paddington 3’?

A scene from director Paul King's 'Paddington 2.'

Co-writer/director Paul King, who crafted the first two, has moved on to other projects, in particular musical prequel ‘Wonka’. Dougal Wilson, who hasn’t made a movie before, but has a wealth of short films, music videos and commercial experience, will be making his feature debut with this.

But King is still involved. He wrote the story with collaborators Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton with a screenplay by Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont.

Wilson said of the new cast,

“I am absolutely delighted to be working with such a wonderful cast on the next installment of the ‘Paddington’ story. I was already an enormous fan of our returning actors, but for them to be joined by Olivia, Antonio, Emily and Rachel is beyond thrilling.”

‘Paddington in Peru’ has yet to set a release date.