HarperCollins Children’s Books and The Copyrights Group renew Paddington deal

HarperCollins Children’s Books and The Copyrights Group, a STUDIOCANAL company, have renewed the three-year global Paddington™ TV and movie publishing deal, which will include the upcoming release of "Paddington in Peru".

Juliet Matthews, colour publisher, and Emma Cairns-Smith, head of global acquisitions at HarperCollins Children’s Books, acquired world all-languages rights from Katheryn Needham, interim c.e.o., and Polly Emery, s.v.p. brand and international licensing at The Copyrights Group.

HarperCollins Children’s Books have been the publishers of Michael Bond’s original and classic Paddington publishing since the first book, A Bear Called Paddington, in 1958. Publishing for the anticipated movie "Paddington in Peru" will launch in September 2024, featuring retellings of the story in novel and picture book formats, a sticker activity book and a hardback gift book.

This renewal continues the partnership between HarperCollins and The Copyrights Group, that has spanned the first two Paddington movies, as well as the more recent pre-school TV series, "The Adventures of Paddington". The Paddington films and TV series are developed and produced by STUDIOCANAL, which will release the anticipated third film in the franchise in the UK 8th November 2024.

Matthews said: “We can’t wait to publish yet more joyful and beautiful books to accompany "Paddington in Peru", which we know will be a gloriously colourful and entertaining movie for the whole family and is guaranteed box-office success. Meanwhile, "The Adventures of Paddington" is the perfect introduction to everyone’s favourite bear and every book continues to overflow with the characteristic mayhem and heart-warming adventures of Paddington and the Brown Family.”

Needham added: “HarperCollins has been instrumental in helping us bring Paddington’s stories to even more families around the world. We look forward to continuing our relationship and co-operation as we’re about to embark on a new adventure with the release of "Paddington in Peru".”