A new stage musical based on the Paddington Bear franchise is in the works, with Jessica Swale (Summerland) writing the book and McFly's Tom Fletcher penning the songs. Luke Sheppard (& Juliet) is attached to direct the work, currently titled Paddington: The Musical. The project is being adapted from Michael Bond's beloved series and the recent film adaptations.

"It is a privilege to be creating a new musical about this gorgeous and beloved little bear with such a wonderful team," say producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley in a joint statement. "The magic of Paddington is that, through his wide-eyed innocence, he sees the very best in humanity, reminding us that love and kindness can triumph if we open our hearts and minds to one another. We cannot wait to bring Paddington, his antics, adventures and mishaps with the Brown family, and Michael Bond’s other treasured characters to the stage. We hope to inspire audiences of all ages with fun, beauty, joy, and all that Paddington stands for."

The musical would be the latest of several adaptations of the book series, first launched in 1958 with A Bear Called Paddington. A BBC television series aired in 1976, but it was the surprise BAFTA-nominated success of 2014's Paddington and 2017's Paddington 2 that has brought renewed attention to the character, including another TV series from StudioCanal. The films are both from StudioCanal and Heyday Films, the former of which is also attached to the stage project along with Friedman and Lumley (on behalf of Universal Music IL).

The work will combine Fletcher's careers. Along with being the writer or co-writer of 10 No. 1 singles as part of English pop-rock band McFly, Fletcher has written a number of children's books along with the family musicals The Christmassaurus and There's a Monster in Your Show.

A timeline has not yet been revealed on when the work is expected to reach the stage.