Paddington 2: Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson join cast as filming gets underway

With production for the live-action Paddington sequel already underway, fans will be excited to learn that the family favourite has enlisted two more big names. Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson will be joining the star-studded cast, it was announced on Tuesday (18 October).

Grant has been cast as actor Phoenix Buchanan, in the follow-up to the marmalade-loving bear's story, while Harry Potter's Gleeson will play "Knuckles" McGinty, a "notorious safe-cracker and legendary strongman who becomes an unexpected new ally for Paddington".

The announcement follows news that Simon Farnaby will be reprising his role as the character of Barry. The Horrible Bosses actor is also expected develop the story alongside writer-and-director Paul King.

The second instalment will follow Paddington as he hunts down a thief with the help of host family the Browns.

The film will also see the return of the majority of the original cast including Sally Hawkins and Hugh Bonneville as the Browns, Julie Walters as Mrs Bird and Ben Wishaw as the voice of Paddington.

StudioCanal will be hoping the sequel matches the success of the first instalment, which made an impressive $260 million (£170m) at the box office. The film, which also starred Julie Walters and Nicole Kidman, cost $55 million.

Director King said: "It was such a delight to see his first big screen adventure embraced by audiences around the world, and I couldn't be more excited about Hugh and Brendan joining the cast to bring his next outing to life. Together, I hope we can make a film worthy of this most exceptional of bears."

Paddington 2 is scheduled for release on 10 November 2017. A third film has already been confirmed.