Sally Hawkins did not return for Paddington in Peru, the third installment in the Paddington film series, and a producer is now sharing why. The films follow the adventures of the тιтular Peruvian bear living with the Brown family in London, with Paddington in Peru seeing him discover his aunt has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, and he and the Brown family head to the jungles of Peru to find her. While Paddington in Peru‘s cast includes the returns of Ben Whishaw and Hugh Bonneville, there are multiple new stars in the roster.

During an interview with the New York Times for the movie’s release, producer Rosie Alison confirmed the reasons behind Hawkins’ departure in Paddington in Peru. The producer, who previously worked as an executive producer on the first two installments, revealed that the two-time Oscar nominee’s exit came from her feeling she was done with the role, despite Alison and her team’s efforts to woo her back. Check out Alison’s comments below:

We did everything we could to try and persuade her, but she felt she’d already brought everything she could to it.

What This Means For Paddington In Peru

Sally Hawkins Is Out, Now Emily Mortimer Is In

Hawkins’ departure is a key change for the Paddington series, as she had played Mary Brown in the 2014 film and its 2018 sequel, Paddington 2. While recastings are not uncommon when it comes to franchise filmmaking, replacing a central character like Mrs. Brown can shift an audience’s perception. However, Paddington in Peru has been well-received so far, currently holding a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Moreover, Dougal Wilson’s appointment as director marks a transition for the franchise. Paul King’s departure came after he established Paddington as a widely acclaimed franchise. Wilson, best known for his short films and music videos, now takes on Paddington in Peru as his first feature length film. Despite these changes, Paddington in Peru still retains key creative figures, including Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton returning as writers, and Whishaw’s continued portrayal of the iconic protagonist ensures a familiar presence at the center of the plot.

Our Take On Paddington In Peru’s Changes

The Third Film Took On A Lot Of Changes

While Sally Hawkins’ absence may take some adjustment for audiences, Emily Mortimer’s casting ensures that Mary Brown remains a vital part of the тιтular bear’s world. Paul King’s departure is a shift as well, and his influence shaped the previous films’ style and reception. However, the threequel still has many of the franchise’s key creative elements in place, and if Wilson can maintain the charm and humor of the first two films, Paddington in Peru should continue the series’ success.

Source: New York Times