All We Know About Wonka Starring Timothée Chalamet
Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, and now Timothée Chalamet: all of these actors have stepped into the whimsical shoes of Willy Wonka, perhaps the most famous of all of Roald Dahl’s creations.
The Dune star is bringing a younger, less world-weary energy to the role that’s charmed and slightly unnerved generations of kids. Wonka, which isn’t the only Dahl story coming to screens this weekend, is a prequel, giving an insight into who exactly Willy Wonka was before opening the zaniest chocolate factory in history. And in the film’s trailer, Chalamet is (nearly) upstaged by Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa… Here’s what we know:
What is Wonka about?
If you’re curious as to how “Willy became Wonka” as the film assumes you are, then you’re in luck: Wonka takes us beyond the books to chart his story from a curious man travelling the globe to a chocolate maestro.
Chalamet made headlines last year when he was spotted around London filming for the new movie, and now we finally know what we can actually expect. Mostly it seems we’re in for an original story, though the enigmatic Wonka’s background was partly explored in the second Chocolate Factory book, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
The young Willy Wonka in this film dreams of becoming the biggest and best chocolatier and wants to bring his unique recipes to others. He begins to assemble ideas for a chocolate shop and teams up with a young girl played by Calah Lane (The Day Shall Come) to spread the Wonka word. Oh, and it’ll be the first time Chalamet is seen singing and dancing onscreen. While he might have a head full of ideas and a certain sweet that can make people fly, he soon finds himself bumping against rival chocolate makers who already dominate the market.
The “chocolate cartel” as they’re dubbed in the trailer isn’t best pleased to see a fresh-faced competitor stealing their thunder, and scheming ways to ensure that Willy (and his customers) never get off the ground.
Who’s In The Cast?
Chalamet is joined in the cast by several of Britain’s most loved actors: Olivia Colman, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins and Rowan Atkinson all appear in the trailer.
American comedian and actor Keegan-Michael Key is also in the mix, along with, yes, Hugh Grant as Oompa-Loompa, shrunk down with orange skin and green hair. Vigil’s Paterson Joseph plays Arthur Slugworth (who appeared in the book), a rival to Wonka.
What Else Do We Know?
Two stars of Horrible Histories are attached: Simon Farnaby (who played the Grim Reaper mocking “Stupid Deaths”) is a co-writer of the film and will also appear, and Matthew Baynton (who played the rapping Charles II) stars as another of Wonka’s rival chocolatiers.
Paul King, best known for both Paddington films, directs, while Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy wrote several songs for the project.
When Is It Released?
Wonka is set to release in cinemas on 8th December, 2023.
