Before beingelectedpresident of Ukraine in April 2019 , Volodymyr Zelenskyy love a prolonged stint as an worker and performer . The transition from entertainer to politician is n’t unheard - of — Ronald Reaganfamously acted opposite a chimpanzee before pursuing office — but Zelenskyy ’s filmography is full of surprises .
Over the weekend , it wasdiscoveredZelenskyy voiced the part ofPaddington Bearin Ukrainian dub of 2014’sPaddingtonand 2017’sPaddington 2 . The bear was in the beginning vocalize by Ben Wishaw , who have no elect federal agency .
Black List founder Franklin Leonard , Paddington production society StudioCanal , and player Hugh Bonneville all tweeted substantiation of the casting . “ Until today I had no thought who provide the voice of [ Paddington ] in Ukraine , " Bonneville compose . “ Speaking for myself , give thanks you , President [ Zelenskyy ] . ”
Global attention over Zelenskyy ’s acting attempt has been emphasized in recent week as Ukraine finds itself under attack by Russia , prompting an outpouring of bread and butter for both the res publica and its leader . In addition toPaddington , Zelenskyy also starred inServant of the People , a Ukrainian drollery series about a school day teacher who finds himself elect president . The finale publicize just a month prior to Zelenskyy ’s genuine ascendence into office .
Paddingtonis just one of many films that made consumption of local endowment when they were distributed internationally . While the original stars sometimes assumedubbingduties — Sandra Bullock talk German , for illustration — it ’s more distinctive for studio to hire native speakers for a variety of roles . In Japan , Koichi Yamadera has filled in for Jim Carrey , Brad Pitt , and Tom Hanks .
[ h / tEntertainment Weekly ]
