Paddington Creator Michael Bond 'Amazed' By PG Rating, 'Upset' By Talk Of 'Mild Sex References' In New Movie

The creator of ‘Paddington’ has told how he’s ‘amazed’ that the new film adaptation of his much-loved Peruvian bear has been given a PG rating by the BBFC.

The rating dictates that ‘some scenes may be unsuitable for children’, and that ‘Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children’.

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Among the more detailed warnings of the content of the new film, which finds Ben Whishaw voicing the bear with a penchant for marmalade sandwiches, are ‘dangerous behaviour, mild threat, mild sex references and mild bad language’.

It was expected that the film would be given the Universal certificate.

Michael Bond, who wrote more than 20 ‘Paddington’ books, the first in 1958, has spoken of his ‘upset’ with the situation.

“I’m totally amazed,” the 88-year-old writer told the Daily Mail.

Bond, who is due to see the new film tomorrow but has not been involved in the screenplay, also voiced his disquiet over the possibility that the new film may also contain ‘mild bad language’.

“I’d be very upset,” he added. “I might not sleep well tonight. I can’t imagine what the sex references are. It doesn’t enter into it with the books, certainly.”

Pippa Smith from the Safer Media campaign said: “There should be absolutely nothing threatening, sexual or dangerous about Paddington. If there is, it should be cut.”

Meanwhile, veteran critic Barry Norman added: “I would have thought a film about Paddington would have been available for kids of all ages. It does seem rather odd.”

The film, which features a CGI version of the beloved bear, also stars ‘Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi and Nicole Kidman.

It’s due for release on November 28.

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