Paddington 3: Fans say franchise is ‘coming to save cinema’ as Studiocanal announces third film is in the works

New instalment is in active development following success of 2017’s Paddington 2

Fans are celebrating the news that a third Paddington film is in the works.

Following the success of 2017’s Paddington 2, fans of the franchise have been calling for another instalment to be made.

On Wednesday (17 February), Variety confirmed that Paddington 3 was finally in active development.

A spokesperson for Studiocanal told the publication: “We can confirm Studiocanal is working very hard on film three with the utmost craft and care — as with film one and two.”

Previous reports have stated that the third film will be again produced in collaboration Heyday Films, but will be the first not to be directed by Paul King.

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The news that Paddington 3 was moving forward was widely celebrated by fans on Twitter.

“PADDINGTON 3 coming to save cinema it’s true,” one tweet read, while another fan commented: “Paddington 3 announcement is my Avengers Endgame.”

“I honestly haven’t been able to internalise the Paddington 3 news quite yet,” Veep actor Timothy Simons commented. “There’s been so little hope of late, this is a new feeling.”

The Paddington films are a mix of live action and animation, with Ben Whishaw voicing the famous bear. Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi and Jim Broadbent also starred in both of the previous adventures.

Last month Hugh Grant, who stars in Paddington 2 as Phoenix Buchanan, joked that Elizabeth Hurley was going to star in the third film after the actor posted a photo holding two jars of homemade marmalade.

Grant has previously said that he “genuinely” believes Paddington 2, which holds a 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is “the best film I’ve ever been in”.