Paddington 3 confirms title and 2024 release date

The absence of concrete information about Paddington 3 has caused all of us to adopt a hard stare. Well, it's time to drop the seriousness and embrace the zesty tang of good news: Paddington 3 is now officially titled Paddington in Peru. And us lucky lot in the UK will be getting the movie on November 8th, 2024, confirms Deadline.

Ben Whishaw returns to voice the bumbling and endearing Paddington himself although director Paul King, who helmed the first two movies, has given way to Dougal Wilson. (King is instead helming this year's Roald Dahl-themed origin story Wonka, due out in December.)

The movie, based on Michael Bond's popular literary creation, 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.

The previous Paddington movies have teased brief glimpses of Paddington's homeland but this is the first time it'll take centre stage. Hugh Bonneville returns as Mr. Brown although Sally Hawkins will be replaced by Emily Mortimer in the role of Mrs Brown. They'll be joined by series newcomers Olivia Colman and Antonia Banderas.

“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. "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.”

King has given his seal of approval, saying: "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.

"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.”

So, who's up for a marmalade sandwich and a cup of tea? There's plenty of time to get them in before Paddington's return to the big screen in late 2024.