Paddington 3 unveils 2024 release date

Ben Whishaw and Imelda Staunton are returning for ‘Paddington in Peru’

Paddington 3 has finally set a 2024 release date, which will come nearly eight years after the release of its sequel, Paddington 2, in 2017.

The forthcoming Paddington in Peru will welcome the return of Ben Whishaw as the voice of the lovable, titular bear.

As its title suggests, the live-action film will follow Paddington back home to the Peruvian jungle as he visits his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who is now living at the Home for Retired Bears. Joined by his human family, the Browns, Paddington stumbles on a mystery that takes them on an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest to the mountaintops of Peru.

Paddington in Peru will be released in UK cinemas on 8 November, followed by a release date in the US on 17 January 2025.

Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Emily Mortimer join the cast, with the latter stepping in for Sally Hawkins, who originated the role of Mrs Mary Brown in the 2014 movie.

West Side Story breakout Rachel Zegler was also expected to board the third film but had to step away due to the ongoing actors’ strike.

“It’s been a joy and an honour to shoot Paddington in Peru with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew,” director Dougal Wilson said in a statement, via Variety.

Paddington Bear, as seen in the 2017 film ‘Paddington 2' (StudioCanal)

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such a lovely group of people, many of whom have returned to the world of this beloved bear. We are also delighted to have welcomed Emily, Olivia, Antonio and Carla to the Paddington family.”

Wilson takes over from Paul King, who directed the first two Paddington movies.

“After ten years of working on the Paddington movies, I feel absurdly protective of the little bear, and I’m delighted that Dougal will be there to hold his paw as he embarks on his third big screen adventure,” King said in early April.

“Dougal’s work is never less than astounding: funny, beautiful, heartfelt, imaginative, and totally original. Aunt Lucy once asked us to ‘Please Look After This Bear.’ I know Dougal will do so admirably.”

Talks of a Paddington 3 were first announced in 2016, with later reports suggesting that the project was in limbo. However, in a major filming update in April, production was given a start date of 24 July. Filming took place in London, Peru and Colombia.

Paddington in Peru will be released in UK cinemas on 8 November, followed by a release date in the US on 17 January 2025.