Centered on Roald Dahl‘s best-selling book of all time, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory“, Wonka will take the audience on a journey with a young Willy Wonka, and how he became the inventor, magician, and chocolate maker we know today.
The whimsical trailer shows Chalamet’s Wonka as he ventures into the chocolate-making business with help from a young girl (played by Calah Lane), the rivalry between him and the Chocolate Cartel, and vibrant musical numbers that are perfect for the world of Willy Wonka. There were moments that called back to the original film such as Wonka saying “Scratch That. Reverse it.” and an instrumental version of “Pure Imagination” played briefly at the top of the trailer.
Another surprise revealed in the trailer is Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa. This means we’re likely to see the origin of the Oompa Loopas, as young Wonka says to him “So you’re the funny little man who’s been following me.” Grant’s character pulls out a flute and plays a very familiar tune that starts his dancing, to which Wonka said “Oh I don’t think I want to hear that.”
The original movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” starred Gene Wilder as the titular chocolate maker, and in 2005, the remake “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” starred Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka was released but it did not earn positive reviews from audiences. King’s Wonka will not be a reboot or remake but rather a prequel to follow young Wonka’s adventures.
Wonka will arrive in theaters on December 15, 2023. Check out our full reaction to the trailer here:
From Warner Bros:
Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
From Paul King, writer/director of the “Paddington” films, David Heyman, producer of “Harry Potter,” “Gravity,” “Fantastic Beasts” and “Paddington,” and producers Alexandra Derbyshire (the “Paddington” films, “Jurassic World: Dominion”) and Luke Kelly (“Roald Dahl’s The Witches”), comes an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor. Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, this irresistibly vivid and inventive big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time—proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.
Starring alongside Chalamet are Calah Lane (“The Day Shall Come”), Emmy and Peabody Award winner Keegan-Michael Key (“The Prom,” “Schmigadoon”), Paterson Joseph (“Vigil,” “Noughts + Crosses”), Matt Lucas (“Paddington,” “Little Britain”), Mathew Baynton (“The Wrong Mans,” “Ghosts”), Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water,” the “Paddington” films, “Spencer”), Rowan Atkinson (the “Johnny English” and “Mr. Bean” films, “Love Actually”), Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey”), with Oscar winner Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”). The film also stars Natasha Rothwell (“White Lotus,” “Insecure”), Rich Fulcher (“Marriage Story,” “Disenchantment”), Rakhee Thakrar (“Sex Education,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral”), Tom Davis (“Paddington 2,” “King Gary”) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (“Paddington 2,” “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “Mary Poppins Returns”).
