“Paddington Bear” is a character that both UK and American audiences are familiar with, but you might not have heard about the film that’s being made about the popular character. Studio Canal has been working on this film, featuring a highly-detailed CGI version of the popular character, for a while, and up until recently, Colin Firth was advertised as Paddington Bear’s voice. However, that’s no longer the case.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Firth has announced that he has parted ways with the production. “After a period of denial, we’ve chosen ‘conscious uncoupling,'” Firth said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly, poking fun at the “conscious uncoupling” statement Gwyneth Paltrow released about her and her husband, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin.
There wasn’t any bad blood between the studio and Firth, which is probably why Firth chose to say that now-infamous phrase. “It’s been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realization that he simply doesn’t have my voice,” he said. He said that he’s seen most of the film and found it to be “quite wonderful.” “I still feel rather protective of this bear and I’m pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him.”
The film, directed by “The Mighty Boosh” director Paul King, will be in theaters Nov. 28. By that time, we’ll see who King (and, through his pestering, Firth) has chosen to play Paddington Bear.
