Colin Firth not to lend voice for Paddington any more

Director Paul King’s film on Paddington Bear is facing a roadblock all of a sudden. Academy Award winning actor Colin Firth was signed up to voice the stuffed bear, Paddington, but he has reportedly quit the project in the middle of the ongoing production.

The King’s Speech actor said in a statement, “After a period of denial, we’ve chosen ‘conscious uncoupling.’” The trailer of the movie, which is slated to release this Christmas, was also released. It’s a rare incident that any actor leaves a project so late while it’s not very unlikely for any voice artist to do the same. Earlier Samantha Morton was replaced by Scarlett Johansson in Her, Robert Downey Jr. was replaced by Ty Burrell in Mr. Peabody & Sherman and Albert Brooks replaced William H. Macy in Finding Nemo. Firth reinstated that it has been a mutual decision to make an exit from the project, “It’s been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realization that he simply doesn’t have my voice.”

He also said, “I’ve had the joy of seeing most of the film and it’s going to be quite wonderful. I still feel rather protective of this bear and I’m pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him.” It has been confirmed, though, that the release date of the film will remain same. While November 28 will mark its release in U.K., the movie will release on December 25 in the U.S. The director has not yet decided about a replacement for Firth but an announcement on the same will be made soon. The director also echoed Firth in his statement, “I cannot thank [Firth] enough for his contribution to Paddington. We love the voice and we love the bear, but as our young bear came into being we agreed that the two didn’t seem to fit. So, with somewhat heavy hearts we decided to part ways.” It has been promised that whosoever becomes the replacement he will ensure that Paddington’s “big screen debut is magnificent.”