Colin Firth will no longer be lending his voice to Paddington Bear in the forthcoming big-screen adventure, leaving producers with something of a headache ahead of the film's proposed release date.
Firth explained to Entertainment Weekly that, "after a period of denial, we've chosen 'conscious uncoupling'", in reference to Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's recent separation.
"It’s been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realisation that he simply doesn’t have my voice," continues Firth.
"I’ve had the joy of seeing most of the film and it’s going to be quite wonderful. I still feel rather protective of this bear and I’m pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him."
It's unusual for a voice actor to drop out at such a late stage, leaving the studio in something of a scramble to find someone to re-record Firth's dialogue in time for the film to make its release date.
With that in mind, expect a replacement to be announced sooner rather than later. Paddington opens in the UK on 28 November 2014.
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