Paddington Bear Awarded Honorary UK Passport

Paddington Bear, the iconic fictional character, has been humorously awarded an honorary British passport ahead of the release of his third film, 'Paddington in Peru'. The passport reflects his Peruvian roots and was issued by the UK's Home Office, surprising the producers who initially requested a replica for the film. This gesture has sparked mixed reactions, with some celebrating it as a charming nod to British pop culture while others criticize it as a frivolous use of government resources. The film, inspired by Michael Bond's original 1958 book, follows Paddington as he travels back to Peru to visit his Aunt Lucy, only to find her missing, leading to an adventurous search in the Amazon. Directed by Dougal Wilson, the film is set to debut in UK cinemas on November 8, 2024, and in the US on January 17, 2025.