Returning to the world ofPaddingtonfollowing the huge success of the first movie is co-writer and director Paul King.

Its a magical film hes fashioned too, and he spared us some time to chat about it.

Heres how that conversation went… How things have progressed…

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There was no suite then, was there?

There wasnt much of a view, either.

I think we pretty much had to hitch to get there.

Pleased with the progress?

Its been very nice.

God blessPaddingtonand all who sail in her.

Yeah, its been very nice.

55,000 was the total.

In fact, that might have been dollars.

I dont think that covered the posters.

To be fair though, thats more than most British films make.

Was that profit, or box office?

No, that was total gross.

I think it must have somehow lost more than it cost to make.

It was a catastrophe.

How much did that cost to make though?

Not the sort of money you want to lose.

I was of the few people who saw it, and spent a long time raving about it.

You should come round for Christmas dinner.

We could get the entire audience round and split a pizza.

Me, you and David Heyman?

[Simon] Farnaby saw it, hell come.

My wife liked it.

But thats the thing, watchingPaddington, andPaddington 2, theres so much ofBunny And The Bullin there.

Theres a total joke steal.

The spitting on the hand is the same joke.

How come no one laughed eight years ago?

Well, they did laugh at that, but it just never really found an audience.

You mention the hand spitting, but for me theres something more.

Theres nothing too literal about thePaddingtonuniverse.

It goes back to Milier, and Tarkovsky, and some really, actually very good people.

Youve sort of alluded to it there, I supposePaddingtonis your most reality-set work.

Yeah, its gritty.

This is my Ken Loach meisterwerk.

Yeah, it probably is, distressingly, the most realistic thing Ive been involved in.

Mrs Bird Leads the Pack.

I think its a really nice place to spend time creatively.

And Im aware from theBunny And The Bullexperience that not everything I touch will turn to box office gold.

In fact, all other experiences.

So it is nice to spend time in.

Theres just too much detail to completely let go.

So I dont know, is the long way of saying I have no idea.

And its very hand crafted.

It doesnt mean it did it for you.

So you do end up with this quite obsessive thing, I think especially because of Paddington.

You realise the huge difference between him looking up nervously and excitedly.

And you go, What was the difference?

Its a slight flick of the eyebrow, and its a slight brightness of the eye.

I think I need you to clarify something for me…

The actual on set Paddington-ing.

Because this time round you had Ben Whishaw from the get go.

Which was really helpful.

Much more than the first one.

And they presumably had some memory of that, and were able to hold it.

But hes not on set every day, for multiple reasons.

And I dont think it would actually have been terribly helpful.

I think hed have got very bored, and I think the film would have suffered.

I know Seth MacFarlane did that onTed, but he was also directing, so it makes more sense.

And its great to have somebody there.

And he is able to channel Ben, to a certain extent.

Its able to be quite organic with him.

And Ben, we spent 120 hours doing the voice.

And because youre discovering the performance, its iterative.

Can we try saying this?

Can we try animating it like that?

Can we do it again, and again, and again?

Until everyones had enough.

And then, when youve run out of time, you release it.

Im curious where someone finds a clown in this day and age.

Well theres this guy, Cal McCrystal, who taught me to direct, whos like a comedy director.

He did that show,One Man Two Guvnors, he did all the comedy in that.

And he taught me to direct, so Ive known him since I was twenty.

So some films have stunt directors, fight co-ordinators, you have a…

Clown.

Additional clown directing should be the [credit].

It feels right, somehow.

Its very good, isnt it.

I need my assistant clown.

All the clown help I can get.

There is another influence Im curious about.

Hughs playing Hugh Grant, sorry.

The two Hughs in the film.

Sorry, I couldnt stop myself.

Hugh Grant is playing Phoenix in the film.

He reminded me a little of Vincent Price inTheatre Of Blood.

Hes the guy who gets revenge on all his critics, and kills them?

Well thats to my shame an omission, but I will put it right.

Maybe Hughs seen it.

Are you seeing Hugh?

Im not, sadly.

But when you see him, you should ask.

And go, Did you steal all this from Vincent Price?

Im being hauled over the coals for it.

So, very quickly, then.

I know previously youve said the firstPaddingtonisnt a political film, it just touches on things.

Im going to avoid the European immigrant issue, because I think youve addressed that.

This is my prison campaign movie.

Its basicallyHunger, for talking animals.

But thats a happy coincidence.

Paul King, thank you very much!

Paddington 2is in UK cinemas from Friday.