Sally Hawkins Exits Paddington 3 After Director King Departure

Sally Hawkins, who played Mary Brown in the first two Paddington films, did not reprise her role in Paddington 3: Paddington in Peru due to the departure of director Paul King. Hawkins expressed that she felt "so awful" about leaving but that continuing without King would have "broken her heart". Emily Mortimer replaced Hawkins as Mary Brown, with Hawkins praising Mortimer as "truly wonderful" and "extraordinarily special." Despite her departure, Hawkins reunited with Paul King in his film Wonka, playing the protagonist's mother. Executive producer Rosie Alison revealed that the crew tried to persuade Hawkins to return, but she felt she had "already brought everything" to the role. While Paddington in Peru received mixed reviews compared to its predecessors, the franchise continues with a fourth film, a TV series, and a stage musical in development.