Paddington 2 cast announced

Paddington 2 cast announced

HUGH GRANT AND BRENDAN GLEESON JOIN ALL STAR RETURNING CAST

Producer David Heyman and STUDIOCANAL are delighted to announce the start of principal photography for Paul King’s highly anticipated PADDINGTON 2, revealing that Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson join the all-star returning cast of Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy. PADDINGTON 2 is now in production.

The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…

Hugh Grant plays Windsor Gardens’ local celebrity, PHOENIX BUCHANAN, a vain, charming acting legend whose star has fallen somewhat in recent years. Grant is a Golden Globe and BAFTA winner, best known for his memorable performances in films like LOVE ACTUALLY and ABOUT A BOY, and was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed Stephen Frears’ comedy drama FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS opposite Meryl Streep.

Brendan Gleeson plays “KNUCKLES” MCGINTY, a notorious safe-cracker and legendary strongman who becomes an unexpected new ally for Paddington. Gleeson received an Emmy award for his portrayal of ‘Winston Churchill’ in HBO’s ‘INTO THE STORM’, and a Golden Globe nomination for IN BRUGES. Other recent credits include the HARRY POTTER series, EDGE OF TOMORROW and CALVARY. Upcoming features include Ben Affleck’s LIVE BY NIGHT, ASSASSIN’S CREED, ALONE IN BERLIN opposite Diane Keaton and TRESPASS AGAINST US opposite Michael Fassbender.

A Heyday Films and STUDIOCANAL production, Paddington’s return to the big screen is helmed by BAFTA nominated director Paul King (PADDINGTON, COME FLY WITH ME, THE MIGHTY BOOSH) written by Paul King and Simon Farnaby (PADDINGTON, YONDERLAND and the forthcoming MINDHORN).
Paddington 2 is produced by multi award-winning David Heyman (producer of all eight of the HARRY POTTER films, GRAVITY, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM).