Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
StudioCanal, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie versions.
He then changes to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You most likely remember me from the films Paddington, Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru. I also had a starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the conservative billionaire to go to Mars. "You are too much genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."
He later says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also announce an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another section by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
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