Paddington Franchise's Future After Paddington In Peru Gets Honest Response From Star: "It's Best To Leave People Wanting"

Ben Whishaw, the actor who lends his voice to Paddington, has shared an honest perspective on the future of the Paddington franchise. Adapted from Michael Bond's children's book character of the same name, the adventures of the titular Peruvian bear and his life with the Brown family in London have been some of the most acclaimed in recent years, with Paddington 2 memorably maintaining a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score for some time before dropping to its current 99% score. In addition to its return with Paddington in Peru, there are also reports of multiple future projects.

However, during an interview with The New York Times, Ben Whishaw expressed uncertainty regarding the potential for more Paddington films following the release of the acclaimed threequel. He emphasized that sometimes it is best to leave a successful story on a high note rather than risk stretching it too far. Check out his comments below:

I don’t know if there will be anymore Paddingtons. I’m always of the opinion that it’s best to leave people wanting more. I don’t think it should go on and on. We’ll see.

What This Means For The Paddington Franchise

Artistic Honesty May Be More Important Than Audience Demand For More

Whishaw’s approach to leaving the character on a positive note suggests a desire to maintain the integrity of the franchise. However, as the films have enjoyed critical and commercial success, a fourth Paddington film has been confirmed, along with a television series. Whishaw is merely speculated to return as the voice of Paddington, and no other recurring cast members have been determined yet.

Given Whishaw's sentiments, any decision to halt the franchise after Paddington in Peru, or a fourth film, could prevent any overextension and allow the films to remain as memorable works that spark joy. While Peru has continued the charm of the previous installments, further films might dilute its impact if not handled with care. The creative team now faces the challenge of balancing audience demand with artistic satisfaction, but any upcoming Paddington installment would need to meet the high bar set by the three preceding films.

Our Take on the Future of Paddington's Adventures

Any Further Paddington Films Are Undetermined

Paddington standing in front of some alpacas in Paddington in Peru.

Ben Whishaw’s perspective on the Paddington franchise reflects how difficult it is to maintain quality across multiple sequels. While the announcement of a fourth film and a television series proves that Paddington is far from over, his remarks raise a valid point about knowing when to step away. If the creative team can maintain the same level of delight,Paddington could continue to thrive without overstaying its welcome.

Source: The New York Times

Paddington

Created by: Michael Bond, Paul King
First Film: Paddington
Latest Film: Paddington 2
Upcoming Films: Paddington in Peru
First TV Show: Paddington Bear
Latest TV Show: The Adventures of Paddington (2019)

The Paddington franchise is a beloved film and television series based on the character Paddington Bear, created by British author Michael Bond. The franchise began with the 2014 film Paddington, which follows the adventures of a polite Peruvian bear who finds a home with the Brown family in London. The series is known for its heartwarming storytelling, charming humor, and its themes of kindness, family, and adventure. The success of the films has led to sequels, a television series, and an upcoming third film, making Paddington a staple of modern family entertainment.