Story perspectives

StudioCanal Taps Iannucci, Blackwell; Wilson Returns

5/27/2026

Summary

Iannucci Writes Paddington IV

StudioCanal announced that Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell will write the fourth Paddington film.
Dougal Wilson is in talks to return as director of the fourth film.
The franchise has earned more than $800 million worldwide from its first three movies, with the 2024 release Paddington in Peru alone grossing over $200 million.

Summary

**Paddington Expands**

StudioCanal plans to release Paddington 4 to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Michael Bond’s 1958 children’s book.
A new West End Paddington musical won seven Olivier Awards, expanding the franchise beyond film.
Paddington in Peru cost $90 million, earned $211 million worldwide, while Paddington 2 cost $40 million and grossed $290 million, showing varied profitability.
StudioCanal is interested in a TV spin-off series, but details remain unconfirmed.

Summary

Paddington Casts

Paddington 4 cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Ben Whishaw.
Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal, teased the film at CinemaCon in April.
Variety reported that Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell signed on as co-writers before Deadline announced it.
Paul King, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton created the screen story for 2024’s Paddington in Peru, with Jon Foster and James Lamont as screenwriters.

History

Historical Context

Michael Bond introduced Paddington Bear on 13 October 1958, sparking a series that grew to 29 books and over 30 million copies worldwide. The character moved to TV in 1976, then to successful films beginning in 2014, and a 2019 West End musical that won seven Olivier Awards. Now StudioCanal has tapped Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell to script Paddington 4.

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Iannucci Writes Paddington IV

StudioCanal announced that Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell will write the fourth Paddington film.
Dougal Wilson is in talks to return as director of the fourth film.
The franchise has earned more than $800 million worldwide from its first three movies, with the 2024 release Paddington in Peru alone grossing over $200 million.

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