The feel good movie we all need right now has a brand new, irresistibly charming trailer.
There was a moment last month when it was unclear whether or not US audiences would ever see Paddington 2 on the big screen. Despite a seamless release in the UK, the family film was to be distributed by the Weinstein Company here in the states. As you no doubt know by now, Weinstein Company has found itself in turmoil after allegations from dozens of women against Harvey Weinstein went public. The studio moved to sell its unreleased titles in hopes of salvaging some of its money, and among them was Paddington 2. Lucky for us, Warner Bros. picked up the slack.
This week a new trailer for Paddington 2 arrived with the Warner Bros. logo featured front and center. The new footage reveals a story about a bear who hopes to buy the perfect gift for his Aunt Lucy. Unfortunately for Paddington, his best efforts go awry after an encounter with a thief leaves the titular character charged with a crime he did not commit. You can view the trailer for the film above.
The synopsis for Paddington 2 reads:
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”), three-time 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.
The first Paddington brought the classic immigrant story to the big screen in a way people of all ages could appreciate. The sequel seems to deal with employment and the legal system, two themes that can also be found in many immigrant stories. Could Paddington be the key to helping people put aside their differences and unite as one species? We can only hope.
Paddington 2 arrives January 12, 2018.