The popular family film Paddington could have had an Oscar winner voicing the beloved bear. However, the actor initially cast for the role felt he sounded "too old" to voice the character and turned it down. The 2014 film, which has since spawned two sequels, featured Ben Whishaw of Spectre and The Lobster fame as the voice of the title character.
The movie is based on the Michael Bond character and follows the story of a family who takes in the lost bear they find at London's Paddington Station. The acclaimed actor who dropped out of the project described the experience as "bittersweet", admitting that while he enjoyed seeing the character develop, he didn't feel he was the right fit for the role.
Colin Firth, known for his roles in films like Bridget Jones' Diary, Kingsman: The Secret Service, and Mamma Mia, was originally set to voice the bear. However, it was confirmed that he had left the project during post-production. The film was released just a few months after his departure, with Firth stating that he had gone through a "period of denial" before deciding he wasn't the right person for the job.
Reflecting on his decision in 2014, he said: "After a period of denial, we've chosen 'conscious uncoupling'. It's been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realisation that he simply doesn't have my voice. I've had the joy of seeing most of the film and it's going to be quite wonderful. I still feel rather protective of this bear and I'm pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him.".
