The live-action/animation hybrid “Paddington,” which starred Ben Whishaw as the voice of the title bear from Michael Bond‘s book series, made a big impression when it moseyed into theaters in 2015. While it cost $55 million to make, it earned over $268 million at the worldwide box office and a 98 percent Rotten Tomatoes score (and yes, for those of you who are counting, that’s one percent better than “Boyhood”).
Under normal circumstances, January’s “Paddington 2” would be an easy breeze into the multiplex. But was attached to the beleaguered Weinstein Company, the studio that’s now on the brink of bankruptcy in the wake of sexual-abuse allegations against the man who has long been the face of the company, Harvey Weinstein. Bob Weinstein, the Weinstein Company executive who is Harvey’s brother, made a statement indicating that the scandal would not affect “Paddington 2.” But that was before Bob himself was also accused of sexual abuse, which has put his future with the company in doubt. Thankfully, “Paddington 2” has been rescued from all that ugliness by Warner Bros., who will be releasing the movie in North America.
In addition to returning cast members Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins, the sequel features Richard Ayoade and Brendan Gleeson. With a cast of that caliber, the movie should at least be bear-able.
“Paddington 2” opens on January 12, 2018.