Overview
- Canal+ chief executive Maxime Saada confirmed that a fourth live‑action Paddington film is in development and said the broadcaster will be first to show the film on French small screens six months after its theatrical run.
- Reports name Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell as writers and say A‑list talent is attached, though StudioCanal has not published a full cast list and no release date has been announced.
- Canal+ renewed its agreement with French cinema organisations through 2032 and pledged to boost film investment, linking those commitments to privileged early access to new theatrical releases.
- The company said it must invest about €140 million a year to secure early‑release rights and has agreed to add roughly €50 million more annually, plus a €1 billion five‑year investment plan for French and European cinema starting in 2028.
- The move builds on Canal+’s heavy 2026 content spending — €2.25 billion in the first half of the year — and follows comments that under France’s rules Canal+ can stream recent films after six months while some global platforms may wait about 15 months; several original cast members, including Hugh Bonneville, have signalled they are unlikely to return.