In a cinematic milestone, “Paddington in Peru” features both Queen Elizabeth II from The Crown and the real Queen Elizabeth herself.
Olivia Colman appears as a lively, guitar-playing, The Sound of Music-inspired nun who runs a “home for retired bears,” delivering one of the film’s most dynamic performances.
Meanwhile, the late Queen’s cameo is a subtle one—a quick shot of a photograph with Paddington, a nod to her Platinum Jubilee video in 2022, where they shared a memorable afternoon tea. Though brief, this detail is likely to stir up emotions among viewers.
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In the Jubilee sketch, many fondly recall the Queen’s iconic moment, when she pulls a marmalade sandwich from her handbag, saying, “I keep mine in here — for later,” after Paddington offers her one.
Her passing a few months later left the U.K. flooded with tributes, including hundreds of Paddington dolls and marmalade sandwiches placed by mourners.
The response grew so overwhelming that officials eventually asked people to stop bringing sandwiches, as they were affecting local wildlife.
This emotional tribute in Paddington in Peru required formal approval from Buckingham Palace, which was granted with the “consent and agreement of the royal household,” confirmed Ron Halpern, head of global productions at Studiocanal, the film’s UK distributor.
Paddington in Peru will debut in the U.K. on November 8, with a U.S. release by Columbia Pictures set for January 17.
Producer Rosie Alison remarked, “The royal family was actually very happy for it to happen,” though they preferred to keep it low-key, respecting Paddington’s “modest” nature.
Paddington’s latest adventure, as the title suggests, takes him back to his homeland of Peru. In a delightful twist, British authorities even issued Paddington an official passport for the journey.
Not bad for a bear who first arrived in London as an undocumented immigrant! Under “official observations,” his passport humorously notes “Bear.” Co-producer Rob Silva believes this detail highlights the Home Office’s “sense of humor.”
Bringing Paddington to Peru posed production challenges. In the previous films, crafted by writer-director Paul King, Paddington settled in London with the Browns, but in this latest installment, he embarks on a journey back to his roots, meeting new characters, including Antonio Banderas and Olivia Colman.
Filming required a passport in more ways than one, with a second unit crew sent to shoot for weeks in South America, including Machu Picchu.
Meanwhile, the “home for retired bears” was constructed in a forest near Leavesden Studios in the U.K., adding even more characters for Framestore’s animation team to render, including some llamas.
By early August, Framestore’s team had logged over 36.6 million hours of rendering—equivalent to 4,184 years of work.
For the budget, CEO Anna Marsh of Studiocanal explained it was “considerably higher” than Paddington 2’s $40 million, a reflection of rising costs and the film’s ambitious scope.
Yet Marsh believes new director Dougal Wilson has the “essential Paddingtonian aura” that the film’s team sought. Wilson, who had previously directed high-profile commercials and music videos but never a full-length feature, was approached when Paul King took over Warner Bros.’ Wonka.
Producer Alison was confident in Wilson’s “visual imagination and flair,” noting his “strong inner child,” much like Paddington himself.
Wilson says he felt both “shock and excitement” at the opportunity, but this quickly gave way to “terror and pathological trepidation.”
Hugh Bonneville, who plays Mr. Brown, recalls visiting Wilson’s office, where he found the director meticulously storyboarding every scene while humming character themes to himself.
Bonneville immediately felt Wilson’s genuine connection to the character. Crucially, Studiocanal placed faith in Wilson, their largest financial investment to date, where another studio might have sought a more seasoned director.
But as Marsh emphasizes, the entire team believed in Wilson’s Paddingtonian qualities and commitment to keeping the bear’s spirit alive.
The franchise’s “brain trust” worked to guide Wilson. Writers Mark Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont brought extensive experience with animated family films, having worked on Shaun the Sheep Movie and The Adventures of Paddington TV series.
The team also included Erik Wilson, the cinematographer for all three films, and Pablo Grillo, animation supervisor at Framestore, who has shaped Paddington’s on-screen presence from the start.
Wilson’s journey to “Paddington in Peru” came with setbacks, including a serious skiing accident just before filming, resulting in a broken hip and a prolonged recovery.
The first Paddington film had its own setbacks, originally casting Colin Firth as the voice of the bear. Mid-production, Firth departed, feeling he couldn’t capture the youthful tone of the character. Ben Whishaw ultimately took on the role, infusing Paddington with warmth and childlike wonder.
Challenges continued with Paddington 2, which saw a shift from The Weinstein Company to Warner Bros. amidst the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
This change came late, and although Paddington 2 had a smaller U.S. box office than its predecessor, it was hailed as one of the best family films ever made, thanks in part to Hugh Grant’s unforgettable role.
It even briefly topped Citizen Kane in 2021 due to a newly discovered negative review of Welles’ film.
Paddington 2 propelled the franchise to global success, with a total box office revenue of over $510 million, making it the highest-grossing independent family franchise.
Studiocanal, which acquired the Paddington brand (except publishing rights) in 2016, protected Paddington’s character while expanding his presence in media.
The Adventures of Paddington animated series, a Paddington Experience in London, and an upcoming West End musical underscore the brand’s popularity.
Unexpected moments also kept Paddington in the limelight. In 2022, it was revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had voiced Paddington in Ukrainian dubs.
Paddington’s fame also reached new heights in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, where a heartfelt scene shows Pedro Pascal confessing his admiration for Paddington 2 to Nicolas Cage.
Paddington’s most heartwarming moment came during the Platinum Jubilee, when he shared tea with the Queen, making him not only a British icon but a beloved figure worldwide.
This spirit of kindness and compassion, termed “Paddingtonian” by the production team, is something that Dougal Wilson hopes will inspire audiences in Paddington in Peru.
After seven years, Paddington in Peru is a long-awaited return for the bear beloved by millions.
Wilson reflects on the responsibility, noting, “It’s amazing how it’s become so iconic and part of the national consciousness, but it does fuel my apprehension about how much is expected.”
All they can do, he adds, is “try our hardest to make the best film we can”—a sentiment that Paddington himself would surely share.
