Paddington sequel could be on the cards

StudioCanal is reportedly in talks with producer David Heyman

Paddington helped British independent film bring in record audiences in 2014 (PA)

Everyone’s favourite bear could return to the silver screen after it was revealed that talks are being conducted for a Paddington sequel.

The film earned £23.91m at the box office last year, putting it in the top ten highest-grossing movies of 2014, and making it the most commercially successful non-Hollywood family film ever.

And according to Variety, StudioCanal is now in talks with producer David Heyman for a sequel about the friendly bear from Peru with a penchant for marmalade sandwiches.

StudioCanal chief executive Olivier Courson told the publication: "We have to be selective, work with strong brands, top talent, take the time we need.

"[But] obviously, the result on Paddington is a strong incentive to us and the partners on the movie to work on a sequel, and a strong incentive for StudioCanal to continue in this area."

He added that making Paddington had been the studio’s "biggest bet" and an "ambitious" venture, but one that had proven it was possible to compete with US studios.

Directed by Paul King, Paddington stars Hugh Bonneville and Nicole Kidman, with Ben Whishaw voicing the title lead. It is based on the children’s book by Michael Bond, who appears in the movie as the Kindly Gentleman.

StudioCanal is a French-based production and distribution company. It owns the third-largest film library in the world. The studio has also teamed up with Aardman Animations for the Shaun the Sheep movie, as well as with Stassen's NWave Pictures for 3D animation Robinson Crusoe.