Although it has only earned a modest $57 million in its first three weeks in domestic theaters,Paddingtonhas taken in over $208 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing family movie to ever be released by a non-US studio, Studiocanal.Varietyreports that StudioCanal CEO Olivier Courson has already engaged in early talks with producerDavid Heymanto make aPaddington 2sequel. Here’s what Olivier Courson had to say in a statement.
“We have to be selective, work with strong brands, top talent, take the time we need. Obviously, the result onPaddingtonis a strong incentive to us and the partners on the movie to work on a sequel, and a strong incentive for Studiocanal to continue in this area (of ambitious family movies).Paddingtonhas been our biggest bet. Even the development costs, such as creating the bear, were significant. But it shows we can be ambitious in this area of family entertainment, even if it brings us into more direct competition with U.S. studios.”
Paddingtonwas budgeted at $55 million, making it Studiocanal’s largest movie to date. The family movie has yet to open in two of the biggest international markets yet, with a release in China set for next month, and Japan’s debut slated for 2016. It is also one of the best-reviewed movies of the year thus far, with a 98% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.Paddingtonis expected to cross $250 million worldwide by the end of its run, a milestone Courson said is, “the level of a significant success for a family movie.” Studiocanal’s next family film, Aardman Animation’sShaun the Sheepopened this past weekend in the U.K., although a domestic release date has yet to be announced.
Although Studiocanal is best known for movies such asThe Imitation Game,A Most Violent Yearand the upcoming thrillerThe Gunman, the success ofPaddingtonhas lead to the studio planning at least “one or two” family movies per year in the future. As far as thePaddingtonsequel is concerned, it isn’t known if cast members such asNicole Kidman,Hugh Bonneville,Sally Hawkins,Imelda Staunton,Michael GambonorBen Whishaw, who voices the title character, will be back for the follow-up.
