Ben Whishaw Replaces Colin Firth in 'Paddington'

One of the stars of Skyfall is replacing an Oscar winner in one of this holiday season's most anticipated family movies.

Ben Whishaw is stepping in to voice Paddington Bear in the live-action/CGI adaptation of Paddington, the iconic character of children's literature created by Michael Bond. Whishaw will replace Academy Award winner Colin Firth, who amicably split from the project in June.

As producer David Heyman explained, Firth seemed to realize before anyone else did that he wasn't exactly right for the role.

"He was saying, 'Are you sure I’m right?' He was way ahead of us," Heyman said. "Colin was brilliant, but his voice was, ultimately, too mature."

Thus began the search for a new Paddington, with director Paul King teaming up with Heyman to find a "slightly more open and younger voice" for the bear. Their search ultimately led to Whishaw.

“He breathes and he speaks and he sounds like Paddington, rather than the most beautiful chocolate-voiced man [Firth] on the planet,” King told the Daily Mail.

Whishaw, for his part, admits that he didn't have very much familiarity with Paddington while growing up, his 18-month-old niece has him rethinking things. "I’m delighted that she’ll be able to see it and it’ll be my voice. She’ll know it’s Uncle Ben."

Whishaw is currently in London recording dialogue at a post-production facility to keep the film on track for its intended Christmas Day release.

As a fan of the character since childhood, I think this is a perfect casting choice. The character's voice requires a certain quality of wonder to it, and I think Whishaw has that quality to his voice. I can't wait to get a new trailer to hear how it all comes together. Until then, you can check out a full-length trailer with Firth's voice (sort of) embedded below.

Via: The Daily Mail

Credit: Ian West/PA Wire