‘Paddington in Peru’ Exclusive Interview: Antonio Banderas

Moviefone speaks with Antonio Banderas about ‘Paddington in Peru’. "It came off the paper beautifully, like a very special character," Banderas said.

Antonio Banderas stars in 'Paddington in Peru'.

Arriving in theaters on February 14th, ‘Paddington in Peru’ is the latest adventure for the charismatic, chaotic bear.

Directed by Dougal Wilson, the film stars Ben Whishaw ('Black Doves') as the voice of Paddington, as well as Hugh Bonneville ('Downton Abbey: A New Era'), Emily Mortimer ('Mary Poppins Returns'), Julie Walters ('Billy Elliot'), Jim Broadbent ('The Iron Lady'), Imelda Staunton ('Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'), Hayley Atwell ('Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One'), Olivia Colman ('Empire of Light'), and Antonio Bandeas ('Desperado').

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Antonio Banderas about his work on ‘Paddington in Peru,’ his prior experience with the character, playing multiple roles, working with director Dougal Wilson, and the challenges of wearing a bushy beard on set.

Antonio Banderas in 'Paddington in Peru'. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your history with Paddington before you were offered the role? Did you know much about him?

Antonio Banderas: No. Do you know why? Because my kids were grown and because they’re in Los Angeles and I am in Spain, and because I’m a very busy man! But I remember seeing on television, Paddington having tea with the Queen of England and that was surprising. Basically just to see how the Queen of England was actually a very good actress. When I got the script, I got to know the character through what I was reading. It came out of the paper beautifully, like a very special character. Not affected by the life in which we are all living in the world. He is different, he’s got calmness, kindness, a way of behaving that is actually very special.

Director Dougal Wilson on the set of 'Paddington in Peru'. Photo: Sony Pictures.

MF: How was it working in collaboration with the director, Dougal Wilson?

AB: The second time I met Paddington was on the set through my director and the producers who were taking a lot of care of presenting this character in two different ways. In one way, which is creating and building a character that actually connects with kids and their parents in an entertaining way, and at the same time in an educational way too. So two different ways to just present the character. It was beautiful, I think it’s worth it to be in a movie like this because I always like movies for kids. I have done a lot of those. I’m an expert on that territory and I know of the importance of bringing something to parents around the world that they feel safe taking their kids to see.

Antonio Banderas in 'Paddington in Peru'. Photo: Sony Pictures.

MF: You play multiple characters in the movie, all of Hunter’s various ancestors. Did you enjoy playing multiple roles?

AB: It was fun. I never had the possibility of playing six characters in a movie. Mainly they’re episodic. Some is just in little moments here and there, with the exception of Caboto, the conquistador, which has much more participation, the rest are little episodes here and there. It was interesting because at the end the character is about struggling with himself. Those family members, these ancestors are pushing him to behave in a way that he’s trying to get out of. It’s the greed, which is I think one of the main things. In the movie that situation between good and evil, and the evil is represented by greed, by gold, by ambition, and love for his daughter is the other side of the character. So in that struggle, who’s going to win at the end? You’ve got to watch the movie!

Antonio Banderas in 'Paddington in Peru'. Photo: Sony Pictures.

MF: Finally, was it challenging on the days you had to wear a giant, bushy beard?

AB: Yeah, when I had days of the bearded characters, I was not that happy. You arrive to the set and they just put this raccoon on top of you that is going to stay there scratching! You cannot eat actually, because if you eat normally, the mustache just comes away from your lips and then they come with the glue, and it’s just crazy. But in the end I had fun. In a way, when we were in the makeup trailer, we were creating the character together because they ask you, ‘what do you think about this?’ And you are in mood of creation. Because they allow just you to bring ideas of how this character can be and to make it more effective.

Paddington in Peru

"A little bear goes a long way."

PG1 hr 46 minFeb 14th, 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

What’s the story of ‘Paddington in Peru’?

The new movie brings Paddington’s (Ben Whishaw) story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears.

With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.