Hugh Grant joins Paddington 2

Hugh Grant is set to join the cast of “Paddington 2”, which has already begun principal photography.

Irish actor Brendan Gleeson will also join the all-star British ensemble which sees Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin all returning. Ben Whishaw and Imelda Staunton, who provide the voices of Paddington and Aunt Lucy, respectively, are also set to reprise their roles.

The original “Paddington” opened in 2014 to critical and commercial acclaim, garnering strong reviews and grossing $270 million worldwide to become the highest grossing independent family film of all time.

The sequel sees the beloved bear, happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community -- embark upon a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

Grant will play local celebrity Phoenix Buchanan, a vain and charming acting legend who has fallen on hard times. Gleeson is set to play 'Knuckles' McGinty, a notorious safe-cracker and strongman who becomes an unexpected ally for Paddington.

Source: Variety