Filming on the third Paddington film will begin in early 2022, despite a director not yet being attached to the project.

Studiocanal, which released the first two Paddington films, has confirmed filming will begin in the second quarter of the year.

It said announcements on the film’s director and cast will be made in due course.

Paul King, who directed the little bear’s first big screen outings, has written the film’s story alongside Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton.

“Our beloved bear is truly part of the family,” said StudioCanal CEO Anna Marsh, who confirmed that a third season of the Adventures of Paddington series on Nickelodeon was in the works.