Sally Hawkins has finally revealed why she didn’t come back for Paddington in Peru.
Last year, Hawkins handed over the role of Mrs Brown to Emily Mortimer for the third instalment in the Paddington franchise.
At the time her departure was announced, Hawkins opened up about her decision to leave, saying: “For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another.
“I am, and will always be, in love with Paddington’s world. I already greatly miss my on- and off-screen family.”
The actor went on to call her time with the franchise ‘some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film,’ but gave no further information on her exit.
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Now, speaking to The Times, Hawkins has opened up on why she decided to leave the role, revealing that it was down to the departure of director Paul King.
Hawkins has known King for 20 years and the pair workshopped the character of Mary Brown together.
“I feel so awful about Paddington 3 but Hugh (Bonneville) did get an upgrade — I adore Emily Mortimer,” she explained.
“But because I love Paul so much, and love the way he works, it would’ve broken my heart.”
Hawkins went on to work with King on his next project, Wonka, playing Mrs. Wonka, the titular character’s mother.
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Meanwhile, Hawkins can currently be seen in a very different role in the supernatural horror film Bring Her Back.
Directed by Talk To Me‘s Danny and Michael Philippou, the film stars Hawkins as a grieving mother who enlists her two foster children in an occult ritual.
The film, which has received critical acclaim, was released in the US in May but only hit UK cinemas on August 1.
Paddington in Peru is now available to watch now on Netflix in the UK and Ireland.
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Stephanie is a writer who specialises in pro wrestling, covering everything from AEW and WWE to NJPW.Â
After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she went on to study journalism at Birbeck University.Â
Outside of her journalism work Stephanie is also a YouTube content creator focusing on AEW and interviewing talent from AEW, WWE, and across the indie wrestling scene. She has also worked for Revolution Pro Wrestling as a backstage interviewer and commentator.