Producer David Heyman Confirms PADDINGTON 3 is in Development

The Paddington franchise has been incredibly charming and entertaining. I’ve enjoyed the two films that have been made so far, and now today we’ve learned that there’s a third one in development!

The news comes from producer David Heyman (Harry Potter) who told Collider that while Paddington 3 is in the works, director Paul King probably won’t return to direct it. He said:

“I don’t think Paul King will direct the third. He did the first two, he and I are working on another project together… He’s very special, Paul. We’re developing a third Paddington. We haven’t got a script yet, we’ve got a treatment which we’re still working on.”

Just because Paul won’t be directing the sequel, he will still be involved with the development as a producer. Heyman went on to say:

“Paul is involved in it, I wanted him to be involved in it because I think he’s such a significant voice, but I don’t think he’ll direct it. He worked on the idea… he comes up with the idea with Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton and then they develop it and come back for more, back and forth, and then it’ll get written and Paul will come in and stir it up a little bit. But he’s an incredible collaborator, Paul. Very positive, very supportive.”

Paul King has already got a few other projects lined up that include a live-action Pinocchio movie for Disney, and he will also be directing a new Willy Wonka prequel film for Warner Bros.

Heyman goes on to say that he hopes he gets to make the film and says, “It’s really fun, it’s a fun idea. I don’t know yet. I don’t want to do it if I don’t think it’s gonna be good.”

Are you a fan of the Paddington franchise and excited to learn that there’s a third film on the way?