Queen Elizabeth II will appear in ‘Paddington In Peru’

Queen Elizabeth II is set to make an appearance in the upcoming Paddington In Peru, which is in cinemas from next week (November 8).

• READ MORE: ‘Paddington 2’ – Film Review

It is the third in the series of films revolving around the marmalade-loving bear created by Michael Bond, and sees Ben Whishaw returning as the voice of Paddington, alongside Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas.

But it is another co-star that will capture many viewers’ attention, as the late Queen will feature briefly in the movie in photograph form.

It follows on from her famous appearance in a skit alongside Paddington in a short film created for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, just months before her death at the age of 96. In the clip, the pair enjoy afternoon tea together at Buckingham Palace, with the Queen pulling a marmalade sandwich out of her handbag, quipping, “I keep mine in here – for later”.

The decision to include the photographic image of the late Queen in the new film was made “with the consent and agreement of the royal household,” according to Ron Halpern, head of global productions at Studiocanal, who are distributing the film.

Paddington In Peru completed its filming last year, and sees a new director join the franchise in Dougal Wilson, who has worked on high profile advertising campaigns as well as music videos for Coldplay.

“It’s been a joy and an honour to shoot Paddington in Peru with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew,” Wilson has said. “I feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such a lovely group of people, many of whom have returned to the world of this beloved bear. We are also delighted to have welcomed Emily, Olivia, Antonio and Carla to the Paddington family,” referring to newcomer Carla Tous, who replaced West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler in the cast.

The film sees Paddington and his adopted Brown family visit the bear’s aunt Lucy in Peru, where they have to search the Amazon rainforest and Andean mountains to find her.

The first Paddington film arrived in 2014, described by NME at the time as “managing to sign off with an unexpectedly touching message: in a big city filled with lots of different types of people, anyone, however much of an outsider, can find a way to fit in.”

Paddington 2, released in 2017, received a four-star review, with NME saying, “The result is another heartwarming and completely charming film with jokes that will tickle kids and adults alike. Bring on Paddington 3.”

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