Ben Whishaw replaces Colin Firth as Paddington

Actor Ben Whishaw has replaced Colin Firth as the voice in the upcoming film version of kids' TV show Paddington.

Oscar winner Firth announced he was quitting the project last month (Jun14), and now producers have chosen Skyfall star Whishaw to take his place as the voice to the beloved bear.

Director Paul King tells the U.K.'s Daily Mail that Whishaw is the perfect replacement for Firth, saying, "He breathes and he speaks and he sounds like Paddington, rather than the most beautiful chocolate-voiced man (Firth) on the planet

Paddington, which also stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters and Peter Capaldi, is scheduled to hit cinemas on Christmas Day (25Dec14).