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Hugh Bonneville in talks to star in Paddington Bear movie

Downton Abbey star up for marmalade-themed ursine adventure?

Hugh Bonneville, better known as Robert, Earl of Grantham from ITV's 'Downton Abbey' series, is in talks to appear in a forthcoming movie based on Michael Bond's famous series of children's books about Paddington Bear.



According to 'The Wrap' the actor is being considered for the main live-action lead in a movie about the marmalade-loving creature from Peru who's found (and named after at London's Paddington train station.

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Bonnington is apparently in talks to play Henry Brown, the father of the family who adopt the bear.

The StudioCanal film is being directed by Paul King ('The Mighty Boosh') and scripted by Hamish McColl ('Mr. Bean's Holiday'), while David Heyman, of 'Harry Potter' fame is set to produce with Jeffrey Clifford.

Rumours abound that Hugh Laurie is in the studio's sights to voice the titular bear in a duffle coat and wellies, but the actor's office say any such talks have yet to take place.

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Story line details that have so far emerged involve a plot where Paddington and the Browns battle an evil taxidermist with his eye on the diminutive hero.

Michael Bond's books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide.

We can bearly wait…

Meanwhile, 'Downton Abbey' is also in the news due to its inclusion in the opening sequence an upcoming episode of 'The Simpsons'  where their house is renamed, unsurprisingly, Simpton Abbey.