Paddington is getting his own musical

Marmalade sandwiches at the ready! 🐻

Paddington Bear
Author: Emily BurrettPublished 13th Dec 2023

Marking the 65th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington book, Sonia Friedman Productions, Studiocanal and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK, have announced the development of Paddington: The Musical (working title), adapted from the much-loved books written by Michael Bond, and the award-winning films by Studiocanal and Heyday Films.

With music and lyrics by founding member of McFly, Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard, the musical is currently undergoing a period of development and workshops. The plan is to premiere the production in the UK in 2025, with further details including full creative team, casting and dates to be announced at a later stage.

Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh commented: "We could not be more delighted to see our beloved Paddington take to the stage shepherded by a talented and visionary team in Sonia and Eliza. They have opened their hearts to show a deep understanding and passion for Paddington that will no doubt transpire on stage and ensure that his adventures, created by Michael Bond over 60 years ago, continue to charm audiences in such a new and innovative way."

Michael Bond

Michael Bond’s first book A Bear Called Paddington was published on 13th October 1958 by William Collins & Sons (now Harper Collins). Since its first publication, the Paddington Books series have sold more than thirty-five million copies worldwide and have been translated into over forty different languages, including Latin.

Paddington has been adapted for television several times – first by the BBC in 1976, voiced by Michael Hordern; and most recently adapted by Studiocanal.

Paddington has enjoyed two successful big-screen outings, both by Studiocanal and Heyday Films – Paddington released in 2014, and Paddington 2 in 2017, enjoying critical and commercial acclaim and being nominated for multiple BAFTAs.

It was recently announced that the third film in the series, Paddington in Peru, will be released on 8th November 2024.

Check out all of the films coming out in the coming months:

Magic Mike's Last Dance

Release date: 10th February


Magic Mike returned in 2023! The latest movie saw Channing Tatum reprise his role of, well, Magic Mike, alongside Salma Hayek. Magic Mike's Last Dance followed on from 2015's Magic Mike XXL, and was the third film in the franchise.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Release date: 17th February


Originally set for a 2022 release, the newest Ant-Man film was pushed back to 2023, and officially graced us in February! The action-packed Marvel Studios film welcomed back Paul Rudd in his famous role of Ant-Man in the Marvel Universe.

Scream VI

Release date: 10th March


A new Scream film was also released in 2023. Scream VI stars Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega and Hayden Panettiere - and Courteney Cox reprised her role as Gale Weathers.

The Pope's Exorcist

Release date: 7th April


This supernatural horror follows Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, as he investigates a young boy's terrifying possession. Inspired by Gabriele Amorth's actual files, the plot follows the exorcist - played by none other than Russell Crowe, we might add - as he uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has kept hidden.

Peter Pan and Wendy

Release date: 28th April


Disney excited us all when they revealed some brand new titles coming in 2023, including a new Peter Pan film! The movie landed on Disney+ in April, and saw Jude Law take on the infamous role of Captain Hook.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Release date: 3rd May


Another Marvel film to add to the collection, Guardians of the Galaxy returned for its third volume, as the gang rallied to defend the universe - and one of their own. Chris Pratt yet again starred in the film, alongside co-stars such as Dave Bautista and Will Poulter.

The Little Mermaid live-action remake

Release date: 26th May


Disney's highly-anticipated live-action remake of The Little Mermaid swam into cinemas in May 2023, starring Halle Bailey as the famous Ariel. Other stars featuring in the film include Melissa McCarthy, as Ursula, Daveed Diggs, as Sebastian, and Awkwafina, as Scuttle.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Release date: 28th June


Indiana Jones returned! Yep, Harrison Ford reprised his role as Indy in the fifth film of the franchise, following on from following Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull which was released way back in 2008!


With an original release date of 30th June, the UK and Ireland luckily saw the film released two days prior.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One

Release date: 14th July


Tom Cruise returned as Ethan Hunt in the latest instalment in his Mission Impossible franchise. The film is action-packed, with Tom sharing details of 'greatest stunt in cinema history' in some behind-the-scenes clips!

Barbie

Release date: 21st July


The highly-anticipated Barbie film hit cinemas in July 2023, starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and plenty of other huge names, such as Will Ferrell, Helen Mirren, Michael Cera and Sex Education's Emma Mackey and Ncuti Gatwa.

Oppenheimer

Release date: 21st July


The Christopher Nolan movie chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who was pivotal in developing the first nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. The film had a huge cast including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr. and Florence Pugh to name a few. Released on the same day as the Barbie movie, so was born the 'Barbenheimer' meme.

Haunted Mansion

Release date: 11th August


The much-loved film made its return in 2023, with Disney releasing a brand new version of their classic movie Haunted Mansion. Starring the likes of Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, LaKeith Stanfield, Dan Levy and Jared Leto, this re-vamp was seemingly scarier than the original, with the certificate being handed a 12A for moderate horror - a jump up from the original's PG certificate.

The Exorcist: Believer

Release date: 6th October


Marking 50-years since the release of the original film The Exorcist, a new chapter began in the form of The Exorcist: Believer. The film saw Ellen Burstyn reprises her iconic role as Chris MacNeil, for the first time since 1973. Not only that, but the reboot is part of a trilogy, with the follow-up film The Exorcist: Deceiver having a release date of 18th April 2025.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Release date: 17th November


Following the release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1, and Mockingjay Part 2, the latest Hunger Games film was released in mid-November 2023. The fifth instalment in The Hunger Games film series, the 2023 movie is a dystopian film based on the prequel of the same name.

WONKA

Release date: 15th December


The highly-anticipated WONKA film was FINALLY with us in December 2023. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as the master chocolatier, details the years before Wonka opened his world-renowned chocolate factory, exploring his journey to becoming an illustrious candymaker. With a totally star-studded cast, it's a staple in the 2023 film catalogue.

Ghostbusters (untitled sequel)

Release date: 20th December


A sequel to the epic 2020 film Ghostbusters: Afterlife closed the year off, with the movie being a follow-on from the iconic original film. The potential for the sequel was teased in the end credits of Afterlife, when it was revealed the next instalment will be set in the iconic firehouse in New York City. Nostalgic!

Now read:

Winners revealed for MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream

Paddington In Peru finally has a release date

All the release dates of the biggest movies dropping in 2023 and beyond

How to listen to heat radio

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store, listen online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".