My first and classiest reaction to the news of Colin Firth leaving Paddington was, “Well poop.” And although I don’t exactly (like not even a little bit) know him as a person, I do really respect his work and think he’s a fantastic actor. Though we wouldn’t have seen him on screen, he was to voice the CGI Paddington. In fact, we’ve already been treated to a trailer.

Trailer: Paddington

According to EW, the split seems mutual and Colin Firth appears amicable with the studio. Here’s how he responded.

After a period of denial, we’ve chosen ‘conscious uncoupling. It’s 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. I still feel rather protective of this bear and I’m pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him.

While it is so disappointing to see Colin Firth leave, we cannot deny that this happens periodically and sometimes magnificently. What would Finding Nemo have been if William H. Macy had been Marlin instead of Albert Brooks? What would Her have been with Samantha Morton instead of Scarlett Johansson? What would Back to the Future have been with Eric Stoltz instead of Michael J. Fox?

Recasting Firth, though late in the game, shouldn’t cause any delay in production and we should still expect to see it out this Christmas.

Paddington starring Nicole Kidman, Peter Capaldi, and Hugh Bonneville is slated to hit theaters December 25th, 2014