Legal Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and rights holders that own the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio
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 publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions.
He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before exclaiming: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You probably 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 conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the first show, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing 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 key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also announce an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another segment by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
