Wonka: everything we know about the film so far
While wonka find your inspiration in the iconic character of the work The fantastic chocolate factory, one of the most revered children's books in Roald Dahl and a timeless bestseller, it is crucial to highlight that this new film offers a completely original approach. The reason for this is that Dahl's story does not provide any clues about his protagonist's youth.
We have put together a compilation of information and curiosities that you need to know to watch the story of Willy Wonka. From the stellar cast to the promised songs and the presence of charming characters, we have all the details about one of the most anticipated films of the year.
All about Wonka
The film follows the story of Willy Wonka, the famous founder of Fantastic Chocolate Factory, a fictional place that gave its name to cinema classics with Gene Wilder in 1971 and Johnny Depp in 2005. The plot, this time, offers a captivating and inventive vision of the iconic character's youth, revolving around his aspirations and how determined he is to revolutionize the world through his innovations with sweets. All this without leaving the personality and all the colorful and cheerful aesthetics of what was always expected from the chocolatier.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Paul King, director of the film, explained and reinforced to fans what to expect from the entire story, which is nothing more than a prelude, set years before the events of The fantastic chocolate factory.
[I always wanted] this film to be like a follow-up [to 1971's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory]. [It's like] if you imagined those people from that world 25 years earlier, that was my initial thought. Eventually, [Wonka] will become that person [in the future].
Paul King
Yes, david hayman, producer of the film, reported to Collider which can be better addressed in the plot.
We're looking for the ideal story, but we already know it will be a prequel. We'll show you how Willy built the chocolate factory, the story behind the golden ticket and what he was like before that. Why did he isolate himself in the factory for years? Let's explore this.
david hayman
Main characters
Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka He is a creative, idealistic young man full of ideas. Determined to change the world and be innovative, he proves that the best things in life start with just a dream. As previously mentioned, the film will introduce the first years of his career as an entrepreneur.
The character will be played by Timothée Chalamet, Hollywood star and third actor to bring Wonka to life. He gained notoriety in 2017 with the film Call Me By Your Name. Since then, Chalamet has played many roles as the intergalactic messiah Paul Atreides in adapting Duna, the incurable romantic Laurie in adapting Lovely Women, and the student Kyle em Lady Bird.
oompa loompa
As is already known, the oompa loompas are creatures of the species with the same name from Oompa-Land. They help Willy Wonka producing the chocolates and, from the beginning of the factory, as far as we know, they were the chocolatier's only company. Furthermore, they are the place's employees and cocoa lovers. Considering the plot, the film will address the beginning of their relationship with the protagonist.
apparently, wonka will likely focus on one particular Oompa-Loompa, played by Hugh Grant. The actor has already worked with the director Paul King em Paddington 2 and also played the villain in the recent Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Rebels. However, Grant is best known for his roles in classics like A place called Notting Hill, Simply love e Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Noodle
Noodle is a poor girl who makes friends with Willy Wonka and possibly help you build your empire. This is one of the main characters never mentioned in the first versions of The chocolate factoryHowever, based on the trailer, it has already shown signs of relevance.
Calah Lane It will be the actress who brings the character to life. Having started his career in acting at a young age, this will be his first prominent role. Still, she gained visibility with her participation in the series This is Us and the movie The Day Will Come. Her versatility as a well-rounded performer makes her a promising addition to the film's cast.
Slugworth, Prodnose and Fickelgruber
Members of the terrible candy cartel, a trio of scammers and competitors, Slugworth, Prodnosis e Fickelgruber come together to make things more difficult for Wonka. With the exception of the first, the other two were candy employees who worked at the chocolatier's factory. Early in his career, the two reached the apex of the manufacturing pyramid with their quirky and irresistible sweets, like ice cream that doesn't melt.
Slugworth is the biggest business rival of Willy Wonka, abusing spies and blackmailing to obtain information with the intention of harming the chocolatier. His plan will be to take the factory out of business and keep the profits for himself. Paterson Joseph is the actor who will play the villain, having already participated in the series Timeless and from the movie The beach.
The character Fickelgruber, in particular, is someone the audience should already be familiar with due to the original story, as he is the traitorous employee who sold confidential information to Wonka's competitors. In the movie, Matthew Baynton, actor who participated in the British version of the series Ghosts, will bring the character to life.
Yes, Matt Lucas, who will star Prodnosis, is known for his characters in Little Britain, Doctor Who e Maid of Honor Mission. He also played the characters Tweedledee e Tweedledum in live-action films Disney based on Alice in Wonderland and like Joe in Paddington, where he also worked with the director Paul King.
Chief of Police
O Chief of Police from the city where Wonka intends to open his first store will be played by Keegan-Michael Key. Although there is not much mystery surrounding the character, since he will be tasked by the chocolate cartel with keeping an eye on the protagonist, in the trailer itself, it is possible to notice his great presence in several scenes.
The actor is known for his roles in productions such as Playing with fire, All the Bright Places e A graduation party, as well as their dubbings in Hotel Transylvania e The Lion King.
Mrs. Scrubbit
Mrs. Scrubbit is also one of the characters with few details revealed, however, based on the trailer and photos released, she is possibly a merchant and could be one of the first people that Wonka must impress with his skills as a chocolatier.
Olivia Colman is the one who will bring it to life, having already achieved great recognition in several very well-received projects. Her role as the Queen Elizabeth II em The Crown, Chef Terry em The Bear e sonya falsworth em Secret Invasion are just some of his most recent highlights, as well as awards at the Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe.
Father Julius
O Father Julius will be played by the British comedian Rowan Atkinson, although it is not yet clear what its importance will be in the film's story. Apparently, the character could be someone who Willy Wonka you will encounter during your travels.
Before being cast for wonka, the actor became globally recognized for his comic alter ego, Mr. Bean, who has appeared in films and TV shows such as Bean e As Fairs of Mr. Bean. The film franchise Johnny English it was also a more recent project that leveraged it even further.
Trailer analysis
The trailer for the film wonka already reveals a series of easter eggs and curiosities that fuel fans' excitement. The video offers a look at the origins of the famous and classic character, while paying homage to the tradition of the franchise. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The scenes present intriguing details, as well as subtle clues about the motivation of Willy Wonka to open his famous factory. Important scenes also further clarify familiar elements from previous productions, in addition to raising theories about what audiences can expect from the film.
Young Willy Wonka
One of the revealed scenes shows exactly that the film is an origin story, especially for the protagonist, on a ship heading to an island, marking the starting point to become the character we know in the classic story.
The director Paul King I wanted to make his intention with the plot very clear, comparing it once again with what everyone already knows about the protagonist's journey.
Clearly, Wonka from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is looking for a successor, someone to inherit the Chocolate Factory. He's fun and full of life, but there's a feeling that he's nearing the end of his leadership at the factory.
Paul King, director of Wonka
Regarding the character's age, for those curious, he says that the answer is up to the public's imagination, even though he joked about possibly being equivalent to the age of Timothée Chalamet.
Looking for chocolate?
in the book of Roald Dahl, it is suggested that Willy Wonka explored the world and wandered through jungles, which is reinforced in the 2005 film. However, following the first scene of the trailer, the director explains that this entire part takes on a new meaning now.
Through the film, we discover more about his origins and his childhood. In a flashback, we understand what motivates him. The film really explores this aspect. I can't imagine a time when Willy Wonka wasn't good at making chocolate. This leads us to wonder: where does genius come from? What makes someone a genius? He's like the Mozart of chocolate – most of us need to study and learn to play the piano, but somehow, Mozart felt he didn't need to learn the piano. He was simply writing brilliant music at the age of five.
Paul King, director of Wonka
Lifeless city
In the trailer, we also see that the protagonist arrives in a classic European city with XNUMXth century aesthetics. Unlike what he projects and aims for, the candy tradition is taken very seriously and the whole atmosphere is a little more sober and civilized.
It's the kind of place that feels like it needs someone like Willy Wonka to inject some fun, life, color and chaos.
Paul King, director of Wonka
It is from there that the entire plot unfolds and where the factory will be built.
Eagle
apparently, Noodle works for Mrs. Scrubbit, whom the director describes as one of the characters who suit the writer's style Roald Dahl. Most of the city's characters have a more grotesque style, being deeply malevolent, even though they possibly have an engaging story. Wonka's ally differs from this, but residing in that new place previously unknown to the chocolatier, she will be able to guide him.
She understands this world in a way that Willy doesn't. Calah (Noodle actress) has the ability to play with a mature, cynical wisdom on young shoulders. It's really charming to have this duality of an innocent and naive adult – Noodle follows the philosophy of diving in head first.
Paul King, director of Wonka
Magic
Even though we already have a notion of how magic works when it comes to Willy Wonka, the trailer gives us a more accurate preview.
Chocolates that allow people to float are the big highlight, but whether this is the result of magic or science has always been and still is a mystery. Perhaps the film can delve deeper into the creation of the sweets for the first time. The chocolatier seems to always be up to something unconventional, which was quite transparent in the sequence of scenes in the trailer.
The fantastical nature gives us the feeling that these chocolates are not only delicious, but have extraordinary properties that can take you places that ordinary sweets can't.
Paul King, director of Wonka
the villains
According to information from Deadline, a chocolate cartel made up of Fickelgruber, Prodnosis e Slugworth, that is, competing chocolatiers, will chase Wonka throughout the plot. One of the scenes in which the three question the protagonist already reveals the tone and comical type of villains they will be.
Many people came here to sell chocolate and were defeated by the chocolate cartel. It seemed fun that they were joining forces (…). They are cunning villains, but, as is appropriate, each will receive their just reward.
Paul King, director of Wonka
Willy Wonka's mother
For the first time, the origin of Willy Wonka may be further deepened with the appearance of his mother, played by Sally Hawkins, actress already nominated for Oscar e Golden Globe. In the trailer, you can see her very briefly, but enough to show that she will play a very important role in the first years of the protagonist's life and throughout the film's plot.
She plays Willy's mother, and plays that role extraordinary. I was lucky to have her in the cast. I feel deeply privileged whenever I have the opportunity to work with her.
Paul King, director of Wonka
The movie controversy
One of the most iconic characters in the film are, obviously, the oompa loompas and as we already know, Hugh Grant will play one in particular. However, the choice of actor seems to have displeased some people, which generated controversy surrounding the production.
George Coopen, an actor with dwarfism, even shared his opinion in an interview with BBC, expressing how this new proposal to select an actor outside of the character's characteristics made him feel disrespected in the industry.
Many actors [with dwarfism] feel like we are being kicked out of the industry we love. Many people, myself included, argue that dwarves should be given everyday roles in dramas and soap operas. But we are not getting those roles. One door closes, but they forgot to open the next one.
George Coopen, actor
Apparently, the film version of Paul King I even wanted to escape the ideas of what a oompa loompa portrayed in the two films The fantastic chocolate factory. The trailer already confirms that, apart from the involvement of singing and dancing, the character has a British accent and a more sarcastic personality, totally different from the posture of a creature of few words, as we originally knew.
Although the new representation, the characters were always played by actors with dwarfism, including the first version with Gene Wilder. But despite Coopen's recent statement, the Warner Bros. Pictures did not issue any official statement.
Curiosities
Musical?
In interview with British Vogue, Timothée Chalamet confirmed that the film will feature seven musical numbers created by Neil Hannon from the band The Divine Comedy.
We're trying to capture a bit of the essence of the 70s film, which is peculiar because at first glance, it shouldn't work, but it works perfectly. Dahl's book contains many songs, and he always writes amazing poems, which are often the funniest parts of the story. So, naturally, things evolved in that direction.”
Paul King, director of Wonka
Keegan-Michael Key, one of the actors in the cast, said he would like to add the words “wonderful” and “a little epic” to describe the project’s soundtrack. Furthermore, he also added that wonka presents itself as “a beautiful, complete and grand work of art”, doing justice to what was portrayed in the trailers and other productions. However, contrary to what this appears to mean, Paul King clarified in an interview with Total Film that although the film contains some musical numbers, it does not strictly fall into the musical category.
I didn't want it to just be a musical where people sing dialogue for no reason. I feel like it's just a movie with songs, not a musical.
Paul King, director of Wonka
Choice of protagonist
It's impossible to talk about wonka without mentioning the choice of the actor who stars. However, even before Timothée Chalamet To be chosen for the role, several other well-known actors were considered.
According to Collider, at any moment, Ryan Gosling (Barbie, La La Land, Blade Runner), D (The Lion King, Solo: A Star Wars Story) to Ezra Miller (The Flash, Fantastic Beasts, Justice League) were some of the options, but according to the IMDb, the final choice came down to Tom Holland, known worldwide for bringing the character of Spider-Man No. MCU, and Chalamet.
About the final decision for the role of Willy Wonka, the film's director explained that the approach Chalamet presented was something very different from the type of roles he has become known for, given his more dramatic characters in Duna e dear boy, for example. The actor's versatility was something that stood out.
He is simply an extraordinary actor. You truly believe he's a genius, which Willy Wonka clearly is. Because it's a musical, he needs to sing, dance and perform a variety of different tasks. He is fun, anarchic, playful and not completely trustworthy, with a slight aura of danger.
Paul King, director of Wonka
It turns out that as soon as Timothée Chalamet was announced as the protagonist, a rivalry was created on social media. Contrary to the expectations of some fans of Johnny Depp, actor who brought the character to life in the 2005 film, Chalamet seemed to be far from the expectations of part of the public. With all the fuss, many speculated, even after the release of the trailer, that the actor was imitating Depp's and even Gene Wilder in the 1971 classic. On the other hand, there were still those who believed that the new actor would play the character better.
It is important to remember that the idea of wonka It has no relation to the 2005 version, having been inspired by production from the 70s.
In an interview with GQ Magazine, Paul King also made some statements about the controversy, highlighting the fact that the younger version of Willy Wonka It is original and should not be compared.
It would have been much easier for him to try to imitate Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp. It would have been horrible. The actors who have played Willy Wonka in the past are brilliant and captivating, and have delivered famous and wonderful performances that audiences have loved. Just trying to replicate that would have been his biggest mistake.
Behind the Scenes: Chocolate Pool and Belly Pain
It is a fact that sugar, sweets and chocolates involve the universe of wonka, which could possibly involve not only the plot, but also the filming set. Due to the abundance of goodies present in the film, advice from an expert could be interesting. As a result, the production included Gabriella Cugno, the creative mind behind the chocolates and who helped the cast really taste and taste the sweets while recording the scenes. However, the quantity produced ended up being much greater than necessary.
According to Variety, Timothée Chalamet revealed that he had to swim in real melted chocolate, in addition to also joking about the excess of sweets behind the scenes, which caused stomach pains.
Whenever I made them, if I had any filling left over, I would just make some quick [sweets] for the people around me. But if there were any left over from the set, we kept them in case they needed to reshoot something. But I always made sure that on set there was always some chocolate available for people to eat.
Gabriella Cugno, chef and chocolatier
To give you an idea, Cugno produced 900 sweets for one of the scenes, specifically the one better known as Hover-shock, which is a homage to the chocolate drink that appears in the 1971 film.
I made about 900 of these. And they are so complex. These have to be the best chocolates ever. So for the Hover-choc, there were four different parts that made up the body and wings. There are two wings, and about 20 holes per Hover-choc and about 30 tiny dots. For the holes, I painted them gold. So all these really time-consuming, handmade details are in 900 of them. Some other chocolates, I could only make 30 because they take so long.
The film is written and directed by Paul King (The Adventures of Paddington), collaboration of simon farnaby (Paddington 2) and production of david hayman (Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts), Alexandra Derbyshire (The Adventures of Paddington, Jurassic World: Dominion) to luke kelly (witches convention).
wonka da Warner Bros. Pictures It is scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 07th.
See also: Barbie becomes top-grossing Warner Bros.; see numbers
Sources: Empire, Teen Vogue, Screen Rant
Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (01 / 11 / 23)
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