Paddington Bear heads for Hollywood

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Paddington Bear, a teddy in a duffle coat who loves marmalade sandwiches and has impeccable manners, is the latest character from a children's book to head for Hollywood aiming at movie stardom.

Warner Bros. Pictures on Friday said it was bringing Paddington Bear, the creation of British author Michael Bond, to the screen in a live-action family comedy.

David Heyman, producer of the "Harry Potter" movies, will produce the film while writer Hamish McColl, who penned "Mr. Bean's Holiday," will adapt the 11 "Paddington Bear" books published between 1958 and 1979 for the big screen.

"'Paddington Bear' is a universally loved character and I have wanted to bring him to the screen for some years," Heyman said in a statement.

Paddington Bear is a refugee from Peru who arrives at London's Paddington Station -- after which he is named -- with just his duffle coat, hat, a battered suitcase, and a label around his neck stating, "Please Look After This Bear. Thank you."

The Brown family spot the bear on the station platform and invite him into their house, without realizing the comic mayhem that his curiosity and endless misadventures will bring.

"I love Paddington's unique take on life -- he is a great comic creation," said Heyman.

Casting and release dates for the movie have yet to be announced.