VIDEO: Fictional bear receives first valid passport
The popular character is travelling soon and needs the right documentation.
Yes, this sounds crazy.
And, yes, it is true.
In 2014, a beloved children's book character came to the big screen.
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Paddington Bear has been a favourite among children and adults for decades, but the success of the movie 'Paddington' made him a true British icon.
'Paddington 2' was released in 2017 and proved a commercial success.
Now, seven years later, fans can expect to see Paddington again in a third film, 'Paddington in Peru'.
The third movie follows Paddington and his adopted family as he travels to Peru, his homeland.
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The little bear has quite the backstory.
According to the official website, "Although Paddington now lives in London, England, he originally came from Peru where he was brought up by his Aunt Lucy after he was orphaned following an earthquake when he was just a few weeks old."
His Aunt Lucy sent him to England where he became part of another family.
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For the production of the third film, co-producer Rob Silva told Radio Times Magazine that they had written to the United Kingdom Home Office (their version of Home Affairs).
We wrote to the Home Office, asking if we could get a replica, and they actually issued Paddington with an official passport – there’s only one of these. You wouldn’t think the Home Office would have a sense of humour, but under official observations, they’ve just listed him as Bear.
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With his passport in paw, Paddington and his family are ready to set off on their next adventure.
In the third film, Paddington returns to his homeland to find that his Aunt Lucy has gone missing.
Hilarity, excitement, and confusion ensue.
The family are also joined by a riverboat captain, Hunter Cabot (Antonia Banderas), and his daughter, Gina (Carla Tous), who offer to assist the Browns on their mission.
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A new director was hired for Paddington 3 after Paul King (director of the first two movies) chose to work on other projects.
Director Dougal Wilson is hoping that the film will be another tremendous success.
I was immediately incredibly apprehensive. Paddington 2 is one of the greatest films of all time. I was very scared and very anxious. I’m under no illusion of how difficult it is to follow up those first two films, and obviously a third film is always very challenging. I really hope we don’t let down the fans.
Wilson is truly committed to delivering the best movie as he fully immersed himself in Paddington's journey by spending some time in the Peruvian rainforest in the Tambopata National Reserve:
I almost trod on the second most poisonous snake in the Amazon, almost touched a wandering spider, which was also highly venomous, and I almost got bitten by a bullet ant. A rainbow macaw came down and ate a piece of cake from the tea table… Some of that has perhaps rubbed off on the film!
You can watch the trailer for the third film here:
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Main image courtesy of iStock