Which seemed like a good excuse for a nice chat…

I think its the most successful non-studio family film of all time.

Clearly my sources are a little off.

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Dont worry.

Others come along and out do us.

Were in a time where statistics are much prized, but anyway.

Its all a little ignorant of inflation anyway, I suppose.

Cinema ticket prices go up, and costs go up.

Anyway, I had no idea at all.

Happily in this position, but could never have imagined it.

Let me answer that in various ways.

You need a director.

Who are open to collaboration, but ultimately whose point of view I support.

Im not a director, it would be wrong for me to impose what I want.

I think theyre going to be very special.

So what do I look for?

Things that I connect with.

I think thats really relatable to.

Wouldnt the world be a better place if it were filled with Paddingtons?

So what drew me to that is a story about outsiders, and also this wonderful generosity of spirit.

I think that Paddingtonian spirit was there before, has been pursuing it even during more optimistic times.

It feels timely, but for better or worse, its timeless.

Obviously when you brought him onto the firstPaddingtonfilm, hed come off ofBunny And The Bull.

Im one of the six people in the fan club.

Im one of the others.

I think that if you meet Paul, his great intelligence is undeniable, and his humour is undeniable.

And when you are with Paul, he is hysterically funny, in a very generous way.

Not mean, although hes not averse to the odd barb, and with a real warmth about him.

Hes a very kind, open, generous spirit a little bit Paddington himself.

So it felt very clear that he was the right choice.

I suppose more of an unknown with a younger director, but its exciting, really exciting.

And when you meet Paul, you get a sense that hes quite special.

Also we had a bit of luck, and we had a great team around him.

But Paul bought so much.

Paul is a very, very special director.

And Im learning as I work with him, too.

Hes the real deal.

I would argue against that.

Obviously Im best known for Potter, butGravitywas hardly there was no IP there.

And indeed,Ravenous.

Thats really is my thats what I want on my gravestone.

I watch it frequently.

I dont know what that says about you.

Terrible, terrible things, I imagine.

I love books, its true.

I do understand, its most definitely part, but not alone.

To be clear, I like original stories, and I like voices.

Thats what really is important.

I think its both a blessing and a burden.

This one doesnt have quite the same, so were less bound by that.

But sometimes I think it does, especially in budget scale.

I thought it was going to be a nice, modest-sized British film.

They were brave, but they had faith we could make it work.

So it depends on the project.

Most certainly today, with the major financiers, to get the budget its pre-existing IP, alas.

Because so many of the great films of times past are originals.

What is it, do you imagine, that causedGravityto pull in audiences?

It was an experience.

It was a completely immersive experience.

It was wholly original.

Its the very thing that people, that financiers are scared of, originality.

It was a wholly original, immersive take.

It was an experience, you went toGravityand you felt like you were in space.

It was a cinematic experience, and it was original in its presentation.

Do you see the industry moving that way, towards experiential cinema?

You have to go to a cinema to be able to see it.

Its just really, really hard.

Which I suppose gives it more room to expand and tell the story anyway.

Where it’s possible for you to explore moral ambiguity, or even amorality at times.

David Heyman, thank you very much.

Paddington 2is in UK cinemas from November 10th.