A Slimmer PADDINGTON BEAR
The first full-length trailer for Paddintgton, features a slimmer Bear than we’ve come to know from Michael Bond’s beloved books. Voiced by Colin Firth although impossible to recognize here (UPDATE: There may be a reason Paddington only grunts in this trailer. It was revealed on 6/17 that Firth is leaving the project). Also in the trailer are Downton Abbey‘s Hugh Bonneville. The movie, which also features Nicole Kidman as the evil taxidermist, opens Dec. 12
Official Movie Site: Paddington.com
Michael Bond began his series in 1958, with A Bear Called Paddington, illustrated by Peggy Fortnum (published by Collins in the U.K. and HMCo here in 1960). Paddington has been featured over the years in chapter books, picture books, pop up books, plays, 56 animated episodes of a television series and 3 half-hour televison specials for HBO.
The first was a chapter book, illustrated by Peggy Fortnum. That version will be reissued in July by HarperCollins.
Several picture books feature Paddington. In the 1990’s they were released with illustrations by R.W. Alley, The first in that series, Paddington, is also being reissued.
Other movie tie-ins arrive on Nov. 4.