Paddington just isn’t solely a globally beloved bear and household model but in addition good enterprise, shows by executives of Canal+ group’s StudioCanal unit on the Model Licensing Europe 2024 conference in London on Wednesday made clear.
Françoise Guyonnet, CEO of StudioCanal, youngsters & household, and Sissel Henno, head of worldwide gross sales – licensing & retail at StudioCanal, spoke throughout a keynote occasion entitled “Turning a Heritage Model right into a World Phenomenon.” Its description promised a more in-depth take a look at the “ongoing journey of Paddington from a basic character to a worldwide cultural phenomenon” forward of the November launch of the third movie within the franchise, Paddington in Peru.
And whereas they emphasised issues are nonetheless in too early a stage for particulars, in addition they had extra excellent news for Paddington’s legions of followers. “We’re additionally engaged on a brand new TV sequence and a brand new film to return in 2027, ’28,” the latter of which is able to mark the seventieth anniversary of the franchise, Guyonnet mentioned.
However let’s not get forward of ourselves. For Paddington globally, “this yr has been actually targeted round content material, experiential and digital technique to present one of the best publicity we are able to to Paddington,” the chief instructed her viewers. Amongst that has been the April launch of a web page on TikTok and the opening of The Paddington Bear Expertise in London. “To come back in November, two very thrilling occasions. To start with, the launch of latest Roblox recreation,” she continued. “However after all, we’re [dealing] with Paddington, so it’s not about cash, it’s about kindness. So you might be successful prizes the extra marmalade you prepare dinner.”
Lastly, there’s the brand new and third film. “After all, the large occasion for the StudioCanal household is the discharge of Paddington in Peru,” Guyonnet mentioned.
The characteristic debut of Dougal Wilson, the award-winning business and music video director, sees Paddington journey from his house in London to his native house of “darkest Peru.” Ben Whishaw has lengthy voiced the titular bear, who in previous movies was seen moving into adventures with the Brown household, whose father is performed by Hugh Bonneville. The brand new film additionally stars Olivia Colman, Emily Mortimer, Antonio Banderas and Jim Broadbent, amongst others.
It’s produced by StudioCanal and David Heyman‘s Heyday Movies. StudioCanal, which absolutely backed the film, will launch Paddington in Peru within the U.Okay. on Nov. 8, adopted by different territories. StudioCanal additionally releases the movie in France, Germany, Benelux, Australia/New Zealand, and Poland. Sony Footage holds rights for the remainder of the world, excluding Russia, China and Japan. The U.S. launch is about for Jan. 17, 2025.
The upcoming film sees Paddington return to his homeland “to go to his beloved aunt Lucy,” defined Henno who promised plenty of Paddington-style enjoyable. She additionally touted the field workplace success of the primary two movies, from 2014 and 2017, which makes Paddington “the most important impartial movie household franchise,” the exec highlighted.
The Paddington leisure practice will preserve rolling within the coming years, in accordance with the executives. Highlighted Guyonnet: “On the finish of subsequent yr, huge deal, we’re launching a musical within the West Finish with Sonia Freeman, probably the greatest producers.” Paddington: The Musical will characteristic music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, with Jessica Swale as author and Luke Sheppard as director.
Paddington in Peru at Model Licensing Europe in London.
Courtesy of Georg Szalai