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Michael Bond’s classic series of children’s books Paddington Bear is to be updated for a big-screen release by David Heyman, the producer behind all the Harry Potter films.
The live-action and computer generated imagery will focus on the accident-prone marmalade eating bear from deepest, darkest Peru who travels to London via Paddington Station and finds a home with the Brown family.
Heyman’s plans have been on hold for more than fours years, but the film has now been picked up by French company Studio Canal with Paul King, known for The Mighty Boosh, set to direct.
“Paddington Bear is a universally-loved character, treasured for his optimism, his sense of fair play, and his perfect manners – and, of course, for his unintentional talent for comic chaos,” said Heyman.
“Michael Bond’s books offer such wit and wonder, and I am so delighted at this chance to bring Paddington to the big screen.”
The film will be based on an original screenplay inspired by a range of characters and episodes in Paddington’s life, as told by the books. More than 35 million have been sold worldwide since its debut in 1958.
