LIVE Magazine Issue #267 February 8, 2018

y Levvy Carriker and Juli Ragsdale
LIVE Magazine
Following the worldwide hit “Paddington,” one of the
most successful family films of all time, this much-anticipated
sequel finds Paddington (Ben Whishaw) happily
settled with the Brown family in London, where he has
become a popular member of the local community,
spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes.
While searching for the perfect present for his beloved
Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees 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.
Reuniting many of the original film’s cast while welcoming
those in new roles, “Paddington 2” stars Golden
Globe nominee Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey”),
Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (“Blue Jasmine”), threetime
Golden Globe nominee Brendan Gleeson (“The
Guard,” “Into the Storm,” “In Bruges”), Oscar nominee
Julie Walters (“Billy Elliot,” “Educating Rita”), Oscar
winner Jim Broadbent (“Iris”), and Oscar winner Peter
Capaldi (short, “Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life”),
with Golden Globe and BAFTA Award winner Hugh
Grant (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”), and BAFTA
winner Ben Whishaw (“The Hollow Crown”) as the
voice of Paddington. The starring ensemble also includes
Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Oscar
nominee Imelda Staunton (“Vera Drake”) as the voice of
Aunt Lucy.
Paddington’s return to the big screen was again helmed
by BAFTA-nominated director Paul King (“Paddington,”
“Come Fly with Me,” “The Mighty Boosh”) from a script
written by King and Simon Farnaby (Sky TV’s “Yonderland,”
“Mindhorn”), based on the best-selling and internationally
adored books by Michael Bond, creator
of Paddington Bear.
The film was produced by multiple award-winning
producer David Heyman (the “Harry Potter” films,
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” Oscar
nominee for “Gravity”). Serving as executive producers
were Rosie Alison, Jeffrey Clifford, Alexandra
Ferguson Derbyshire, Ron Halpern, and Didier
Lupfer.
Creative talent returning behind the camera included
director of photography Erik Alexander Wilson
(“Tyrannosaur,” “Submarine”), production designer
Gary Williamson (“Bunny and the Bull,” “Submarine”),
Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy
Hemming (“Wonder Woman,” “The Dark Knight”),
and editor Mark Everson (“Mindhorn,” “Alan Partridge”),
joined by editor Jonathan Amos (“Baby
Driver”). Visual effects were provided by the highly
acclaimed British VFX company, Framestore, led by
animation director Pablo Grillo (“Fantastic Beasts
and Where to Find Them”) and VFX supervisors
Andy Kind (“Gravity”) and Glen Pratt (“Beauty and
the Beast”). The score is composed by Academy
Award winner Dario Marianelli (“Atonement”).
“Paddington 2” was shot on location in and around
central London, as well as on the legendary soundstages
of Warner Bros. Leavesden and Pinewood
film studios.
Warner Bros. Pictures and STUDIOCANAL present,
in association with Anton Capital Entertainment
S.C.A., a Heyday Films Production, “Paddington
2.” The film will be distributed by Warner Bros.
Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
“Paddington 2” is rated PG for some action and
mild rude humor.
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