Paddington was a totally unexpected delight - a family-friendly picture that offered up a significant dose of pathos for adults, and re-invented an icon for a new generation of kids. Now - after playing like gangbusters in the UK since November - Paddington 2 is coming to theaters in the States, and the trailer is selling more of the cuddly bear to anyone who's buying.
Take a look:
The funniest part is that Paddington 2 is sort of a crime picture for tots. For his Aunt Lucy's birthday, the titular kind-hearted teddy (voiced by Ben Whishaw), wants to buy an expensive pop-up book from an antique shop. But an international master of disguise (Hugh Grant) steals the book, while Paddington winds up in prison when he’s framed for the crime. We all know he's gonna make it out, but how's the beast going to rise to the occasion this time?
The voice cast on Paddington 2 is stacked, with Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Hugh Bonneville, and Peter Capaldi rounding out the supporting players. Here's hoping it's just as wonderful as the first (and reviews across the pond seem to indicate as such) when it hits U.S. auditoriums January 12th, 2018.