Colin Firth leaving 'Paddington' movie

LONDON, June 17 (UPI) -- Colin Firth will no longer voice Paddington in the upcoming film adaption of Michael Bond's story about a Peruvian bear who travels to England and finds himself lost at Paddington Station.

The 53-year-old actor told Entertainment Weekly in a statement that, "after a period of denial" he and the movie's production team have "chosen 'conscious uncoupling.'"

Firth's departure from Paddington comes only five months prior to the film's scheduled British release date of Nov. 28.

The actor said in his statement that it had been "bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realization that he simply doesn't have my voice."

"I've had the joy of seeing most of the film and it's going to be quite wonderful," he added. "I still feel rather protective of this bear and I'm pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him."

Also starring Nicole Kidman, Peter Capaldi and Sally Hawkins, Paddington will premiere in the United States on Christmas Day.