The
cast of PADDINGTON reads as a
roll-call of the finest in acting talent, spanning film, television and
theatre. Each of the principal cast are recognisable as many an iconic
character, to generations both young and old.
Hugh Bonneville (Mr.
Brown) is perhaps best known as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in
the multi-award winning TV drama, “Downton Abbey”. Taking on the role of a
father once again in PADDINGTON appealed to Bonneville on several levels. “
I remember having the books read to me and
then reading them myself and falling in love with them. Paddington is a part of
British culture, part of our DNA really. I read the script and saw how much of
that DNA is preserved, even though it’s set in a contemporary world”. He
continues, “It still has the flavour of the original books, which is so
beautifully captured in Paul’s script. There’s also a great deal of humour
running though the story – innocent, uproarious slapstick as well as clever wit
– which will resonate with everyone, whether you are coming to the story with
fresh eyes or as an unashamedly nostalgic parent, like myself.”
As
one of the first actors to come on board the project and highly aware of the
public's love of the source material, Hugh felt very strongly the need to do
justice to Bond's stories - but any initial concerns were very quickly
forgotten: “Within about five seconds of
meeting Paul and David about PADDINGTON, I was on board. I was struck by how
much Paul understood Paddington - he IS Paddington! He is as innocent,
wide-eyed and as delightful as our furry friend!”
As
Mrs.
Brown, the wonderful Sally
Hawkins, who was recently nominated for an Academy Award® for her role in
Woody Allen’s BLUE JASMINE, effortlessly captures her character’s good nature
and inability to resist a cry for help. Being the first to engage with the
little bear all alone on the platform of Paddington Station, Mrs Brown’s family
is swept along by her well-meaning actions, regardless of the consequences.
Says Rosie Alison of the casting of Sally, “What
we love about Sally is that she gives this very grounded performance. She talks
to the bear just beautifully, as if he is a living, breathing creature. One
believes in her and in turn, in Paddington.”
Says
Paul, “Hugh and Sally were a joy to work
with. They are both tremendously accomplished writers as well as performers.
For someone like me with a background in improvised comedy, it was hugely
reassuring to know they wouldn’t feel straight-jacketed by the dialogue, and
that together we could breathe life into the characters.” He continues, “Their
performances are the bedrock of the film: comic but touching, real yet existing
in a world where a talking animal can be accepted. It’s a delicate balance, and
they hold it beautifully.”
It’s
perhaps every child’s dream to appear in a movie and newcomers Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, cast as sparring siblings Judy and Jonathan Brown, took the
experience in their stride. Through a long winter shoot in and around London,
often on location and frequently filming through the night, Maddie and Sam more
than matched the stamina of their seasoned co-stars. The strong connection that
developed quickly between the fictional family members is evident on screen, as
is the fun they clearly had working together.
Bonneville
is quick to praise his young co-stars “Maddie
and Sam have got fantastic energy and real focus - they’re really on the
button.” And he continues, “There is that famous phrase, ‘Never work with
children or animals’. Well, I can make an exception in this case.”
With regards to
portraying one of the most famous families in British literary history,
Bonneville adds, “We had the luxury of three weeks of rehearsal in which Paul
was determined that we should not only finesse the script but work on the
characters and explore the relationships of the Brown family - which was
invaluable. You rarely get to have that. So we had a lot of fun, playing around
with the scenes, building up a strong family dynamic, which I hope comes
across. The little ebbs and flows of family life are all there.”
Rounding
out the Brown household is the eccentric Mrs. Bird, played by Julie Walters. A distant relative who
lives with the Browns and runs the household as a very tight ship, Mrs Bird is
strict, but also compassionate - when she needs to be! Worldly-wise, she thinks
nothing of a walking, talking bear crossing the threshold of 32 Windsor Garden
and turning all of their lives upside down.
Julie
confesses to loving the prospect of working on another film which appeals
whole-heartedly to the young - and to the young at heart. Certainly, knowing
that David Heyman would once again be behind this adaptation must have been
reassuring for Julie? “It was lovely to
be asked back by David Heyman, because I had such a wonderful time on HARRY
POTTER, you know, so it’s a real thrill to work with him again - and he’s a
really nice bloke, apart from anything else!”
Along
with Mr.
Gruber, played by the prolific British actor Jim Broadbent (another HARRY POTTER alumnus) and nosey next door
neighbour, Mr. Curry (Peter Capaldi),
the Browns are characters as familiar as Paddington himself to the generations
of children that have grown up with these stories. However, a 21st century
PADDINGTON required a villain that could challenge the most savvy of young
audiences. Enter stage left Millicent, the evil taxidermist.
Explains
King, "Where Oliver Twist has to
survive Fagin and Bill Sykes before he can find peace with Mr Brownlow, so I
wanted an opposition for Paddington, someone who didn’t respond to ‘Please Look
After This Bear.’ It struck me that for a young bear, the greatest opposition
wasn’t someone who didn’t want him in the house, or even the street, but who
felt that a bear only belonged in one place in London – the Natural History
Museum!”
From
the outset, the desire of all involved was to deliver a PADDINGTON to the big
screen for a whole new generation of fans, whilst remaining loyal to Bond's
wonderful world.
“PADDINGTON” is released and
distributed by CAPTIVE CINEMA
SHOWING
ON FEBRUARY 11.
NATIONWIDE!!!! (PR)
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