Paddington 3 CONFIRMED to be in the works – with one big difference

The third movie starring the adorable bear has not been written yet, but does have a treatment; Heyman said.

However, when it does go into production, there’ll be one big difference between it and its two predecessors.

Director Paul King, who helmed Paddington and Paddington 2, is not expected to be back.

Speaking to Collider, Heyman 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.

“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 added: “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.”

Heyman is currently promoting Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and is a hugely prolific movie producer.

The Paddington movies have gone down a storm: the first, released in 2014, grossed $268 million worldwide, was double BAFTA nominated, and has a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Paddington 2 made $226.9 million and has a staggering 100% rating.

Talk of a threequel dates right back to 2016, when StudioCanal CEO Didier Lupfer spoke about hopes that the series could continue.

According to The Guardian, he was “hopeful” of a new story inspired by Michael Bond’s iconic books.

Ben Whishaw voices the titular bear, with Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Peter Capaldi in the human cast.

Nicole Kidman played the villain in the first film, with Hugh Grant stepping up to play the antagonist in the sequel.

His performance was so well-received that he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the BAFTAs.