Cheltenham Screenwriter Reflects on Co-Writing Latest Paddington Film

A screenwriter based in Cheltenham stated he felt “very lucky” to have been asked to co-write the newest Paddington movie. Paddington in Peru premiered in British cinemas on November 8, chronicling the renowned bear, known for his blue duffel coat and red hat, as he embarks on his initial journey back to his home country. Jon Foster, from Charlton Kings, has previously collaborated on Paddington projects, including co-writing the skit featuring the bear for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. “It’s one of the best moments of a screenwriter’s job to go down on set and see fantastic actors read your lines and enjoy them and make you laugh,” he said. It was over three years ago that he received the invitation to co-write Paddington in Peru alongside his professional partner, James Lamont, and the film’s existing writing team. “We were delighted, which then very quickly turned into, ‘How are we going to do this?’,” he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire. “These things take time, you’ve got to work long and hard; the script is very important because that is then what attracts the actors to become involved and then the whole thing starts to become a movie that’s ready to be made.” “It was a great call and I’m very lucky to be involved in such a great project.” Mr Foster indicated that he “absolutely” perceives the voice of Ben Whishaw, who portrays the titular bear, when he is composing dialogue. “He’s so brilliant and he’s so close to Paddington as a character himself that he feels protective over him in the same way we all do,” he said. “Famously, [Paddington] had a luggage tag around his neck that said ‘Please look after this bear’, and that is how we feel when we work with Paddington Bear.” “Everybody involved in the production, all of us would say, quite habitually, ‘please look after this bear’,” he explained. “It’s one of the best moments of a screenwriter’s job to go down on set and see fantastic actors read your lines and enjoy them and make you laugh,” Mr Foster said. “Hearing people laugh at the jokes you’ve written, whether it’s on the screen or you’re sitting at home with you family watching one of the show’s you’ve written on TV, that’s why you get into this game.” Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.