The first eight statues were installed in February 2020 and emphasise Leicester Square's long association with cinema. The site has been home to cinemas since 1930 and hosted its first film premiere in 1937. The original statues installed were those of
Laurel and Hardy,
Mary Poppins,
Batman,
Bugs Bunny,
Don Lockwood portrayed by
Gene Kelly,
Paddington Bear,
Mr. Bean and
Wonder Woman representing the past 100 years of film. The exhibition is organised by the Heart of London Business Alliance in partnership with
Westminster City Council and is supported by major movie studios. Laurel and Hardy are perched on top of a ticket booth in the square, representing a famous scene from the 1929 film
Liberty in which the pair balanced on a ledge on a skyscraper. Mary Poppins is depicted landing from flight with her umbrella raised, as featured in the 1964 film
Mary Poppins. Batman stands above the square, on the roof of the
Odeon Leicester Square cinema. Bugs Bunny is depicted popping up out of a hole in a flower bed, in front of his mailbox, while eating a carrot. Gene Kelly is depicted in his role as Don Lockwood in the 1952 film ''
Singin' in the Rain,'' swinging around a lamppost, in an iconic scene where the character sings the title song in the film. Permission to make the statue was granted by Kelly's wife, Patricia Ward Kelly. Paddington Bear is seated on a bench in the square, eating one of his favourite marmalade sandwiches. Mr. Bean, who was portrayed by
Rowan Atkinson on television and in film, is also depicted sitting on a bench in the square. The erection of the statue also marked 30 years since the character's first appearance. The statue of Wonder Woman is above street level, depicted breaking through the wall of the
Vue West End cinema, wielding her Lasso of Truth. The statue is inspired by a scene from the 2017 film
Wonder Woman, in which the title character was played by
Gal Gadot.
Gallery File:Paddington Bear, all alone (50285504591).jpg|Paddington Bear File:Bugs Bunny statue (49787191688).jpg|Bugs Bunny File:Mary Poppins sculpture (49690096878).jpg|Mary Poppins File:Wonder Woman sculpture (49788051097).jpg|Wonder Woman File:Laurel and Hardy sculpture (49787191678).jpg|Laurel and Hardy File:Odeon and Batman (49787191543).jpg|Batman on top of the Odeon Theatre File:Gene Kelly Statue Leicester Square - 53141740269.jpg|Gene Kelly == Later additions ==