Actor Ben Whishaw is the new voice of Paddington bear

The 33-year-old actor will play the titular bear in the upcoming animated film after Colin Firth parted ways with the project earlier this year, admitting he couldn't find the right tone of voice for the character.

Actor Ben Whishaw is to voice Paddington bear in the upcoming animation film 'Paddington'.

Ben-Whishaw

The 33-year-old actor will play the titular bear in the upcoming animated film after Colin Firth parted ways with the project earlier this year, admitting he couldn't find the right tone of voice for the character, reported Daily Mirror.

Whishaw, who is best known for playing Q in James Bond film 'Skyfall', said he wasn't keen on the job at first but now can't wait to take his 18-month-old niece to see the movie.

"I resisted a little bit, because I had a bad experience doing this kind of work in the past and I thought I was no good at it. But I was persuaded to go, slightly grudgingly," he said.

"I'm delighted that she'll be able to see it and it'll be my voice. She'll know it's uncle Ben."

The Paul King-directed film, which will also feature the voices of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Bonneville, tells the story of a young Peruvian bear who becomes stranded at Paddington train station after travelling to London in search of a new home, until he's adopted by a kind family.