Paul King on the set of Paddington 2.
Camera IconPaul King on the set of Paddington 2. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Paddington 2 director Paul King likes to keep things light

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

WITH so much fun and frivolity going on in the Paddington films, it comes as little surprise that director Paul King likes to keep things light on set.

After the success of the first film in 2014, the cute British bear is back for more adventures, with Paddington 2 hitting Australian cinemas on December 21.

This time, Paddington is doing cash jobs around town so he can buy his Aunt Lucy a present for her 100th birthday, but gets caught up in the schemes of Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), an actor whose star has faded.

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Director Paul King said the cast and crew liked to keep a light atmosphere while making the films.

“It is definitely not the environment anyone likes to take themselves too seriously,” he said.

“There is not much pomposity on the Paddington set, we have to keep it light on set.”

King said that after working on two films aimed at youngsters, he was “probably” a big kid at heart.

“I have been asked if I make these movies for my kids, but I don’t have any kids,” he said.

“I made things that I thought were funny, I never tried to do bits for kids and bits for adults.”

Paddington 2 has not been released in all markets yet, but King is tempted to give audiences a third one.

“It is tempting; it is a lovely universe and I am protective of it, it is a world and style of its own and it suits me,” he said.

“But equally I would like to do other things.”

When asked if he would consider a complete departure, like a horror film,” King laughed.

“Maybe not a serial killer movie, but a multiple, sequential killer, with a pun-based clue at every murder,” he said.

“I don’t think I could handle something so serious as a slasher film.”