Mark Burton, Jon Foster & James Lamont Discuss “Paddington in Peru” And What Makes Him So Lovable
He’s been one of the world’s most beloved fictional characters for almost 70 years now. With his blue duffle coat and red hat (most likely hiding a marmalade sandwich tucked away in case of an emergency), #Paddington carries with him a sense of nostalgia for those who grew up reading about his adventures. Thanks in particular to the recent film series and the soft-spoken, gentle voice Ben Whishaw has given to the classic character, a new generation of filmgoers have come to love him just as much.
Whether he’s writing letters to Aunty Lucy or having tea at Buckingham Palace with the Queen to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, Paddington’s legacy has endured because writers have taken good care of this bear. Most recently, these writers are Mark Burton (Madagascar, Shaun the Sheep Movie, Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit), Jon Foster (The Adventures of Paddington, Queen Elizabeth and Paddington Bear Film) and James Lamont (The Adventures of Paddington, Queen Elizabeth and Paddington Bear Film), whose film Paddington in Peru sees the Brown family head to South America when Aunt Lucy goes missing from the Home for Retired Bears. New characters such as Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) and Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) add intrigue and mystery to the quest, but the film’s overarching theme of family and emphasis on Paddington’s goodwill fits this third installment in nicely with its predecessors.
Burton, Foster and Lamont spent years on the script, each one bringing his own unique comedic voice to the story and characters. We spoke recently about their process, their careers as writers to date, and what they love about Paddington Bear.
Read the entire interview HERE.