Wonka (film)
Wonka is an upcoming musical fantasy film directed by Paul King, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby. The film serves as a prequel to the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and stars Timothée Chalamet as the titular character, following his early days as an eccentric chocolatier. Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, and Jim Carter star in supporting roles.
| Wonka | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul King |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Paul King |
| Based on | Characters by Roald Dahl |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Chung-hoon Chung[1] |
| Edited by | Mark Everson |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
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| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $125 million[2] |
Development began after Warner Bros. Pictures acquired the rights to the titular character in October 2016. It was reported that Warner Bros. was conducting casting auditions for the titular role of the film, including Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling, and Ezra Miller, and it was revealed the film would serve as a prequel to the 1964 novel. In May 2021, Chalamet was confirmed to be playing the title role and the supporting cast were announced in September of that year. Principal photography began in the United Kingdom in September 2021. Filming took place in Lyme Regis and Bath, as well as at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Watford. Filming also occurred at the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, London. Scenes were shot in Oxford in December and February. The original songs for the film were contributed by Neil Hannon.
Wonka is scheduled to be released on December 15, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Premise
The story follows a young Willy Wonka and his adventures prior to opening the world's most famous chocolate factory.[3]
Cast
- Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka
- Keegan-Michael Key
- Rowan Atkinson
- Sally Hawkins
- Olivia Colman
- Jim Carter
- Matt Lucas
- Natasha Rothwell
- Tom Davis
- Mathew Baynton
- Simon Farnaby
- Rich Fulcher
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
- Paterson Joseph as Arthur Slugworth[4]
- Calah Lane
- Colin O'Brien
- Rakhee Thakrar
- Ellie White
- Murray McArthur[5]
- Tracy Ifeachor[6]
- Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa[7]
Production
In October 2016, Warner Bros. Pictures acquired the rights to the character Willy Wonka created by Roald Dahl, with a film in development from producers David Heyman and Michael Siegel.[8] In February 2018, it was announced Paul King was in negotiations to direct.[9][10] That same year, it was reported the studio's shortlist of actors to star as Willy Wonka included Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling, and Ezra Miller,[11] and it was revealed the film would serve as a prequel to the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[12]
In January 2021, it was confirmed King would direct the film, now titled Wonka.[3] In May, Timothée Chalamet was cast in the title role and it was announced the film would include several musical numbers. It was also revealed the film would be using a screenplay co-written by his Paddington 2 (2017) collaborator Simon Farnaby; Jeff Nathanson, Simon Rich, and Simon Stephenson also provided additional literary material.[13][14] Tom Holland had also been a frontrunner for the role before Chalamet was cast.[15] In September 2021, it was announced Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman, and Jim Carter were among the newest additions to the cast, with Farnaby also set for a role.[16][17]
Principal photography began in the United Kingdom in September 2021,[18] with Seamus McGarvey set as cinematographer, Nathan Crowley as production designer,[19] Mark Everson as film editor, and Lindy Hemming as costume designer.[17] Filming took place in Lyme Regis and Bath,[20] as well as at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Watford.[21][22] Filming also occurred at the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, London.[23] By December, McGarvey exited as cinematographer with Chung Chung-hoon replacing him.[24] Scenes were shot in Oxford in December and February.[25][26]
Music
Neil Hannon, lead singer of the band The Divine Comedy, contributes original songs for the film.[17]
Marketing
The marketing campaign from Warner Bros. Pictures for Wonka began on October 10, 2021 when Chalamet shared a photograph of himself in costume as Willy Wonka. The image was posted on Chalamet's Instagram with the caption "The suspense is terrible, I hope it will last," a reference to the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder as the title character.[27][28] The Guardian noted that the image was met with mixed reception online.[29]
On April 26, 2022, footage of Chalamet as Willy Wonka was shared during Warner Bros. Pictures' presentation at CinemaCon. It also featured a rendition of the song "Pure Imagination" from the 1971 film.[30][31] Deadline described the trailer: "Think Fantastic Beasts in regards to period (early 20th century), but so much more fun".[32] The following year at the convention, Warner Bros. screened a teaser trailer for Wonka, which also saw a first-look at Grant as an Oompa Loompa.[33] IndieWire praised Chalamet's transformation as Wonka remarking: "like the chocolate he concocts in this first trailer, it will make you fly".[34]
Release
Wonka is scheduled to be theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 15, 2023.[35] It was originally set for March 17, 2023.[3]
References
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (25 April 2023). "'Wonka': Warner Bros Unveils Extended Trailer Featuring Hugh Grant As An Oompa Loompa". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ Vary, Adam; Rubin, Rebecca (3 January 2023). "Box Office Predictions for 2023: Will Tom Cruise, Super Mario and a Bear on Cocaine Save Movie Theaters?". Variety. from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (19 January 2021). "Warner Bros. Dates Willy Wonka Prequel For 2023 With David Heyman Producing". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Paterson Joseph - Contributor Biography". Dialogue Books. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Murray McArthur". Dalzell & Beresford Ltd. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Share, Immy (12 November 2021). "Film set in Eltham Palace reportedly for new Wonka movie". News Shopper. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ Vejvoda, Jim (25 April 2023). "Hugh Grant Plays an Oompa Loompa in the Willy Wonka Prequel". IGN. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (19 October 2016). "Willy Wonka New Film in the Works From David Heyman and Warner Bros. (Exclusive)". Variety. from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ McNary, Dave (12 February 2018). "Film News Roundup: Willy Wonka Reboot in the Works With Paddington Director". Variety. from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Kit, Borys (12 February 2018). "Paddington Director Paul King in Talks for Willy Wonka (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (5 June 2018). "Exclusive: Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling Lead WB's Willy Wonka Shortlist". Collider. from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (5 November 2018). "Exclusive: Producer David Heyman Confirms Willy Wonka Movie Is a Prequel". Collider. from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (24 May 2021). "Timothee Chalamet Tapped To Play Willy Wonka In New Origin Tale From Warner Bros. and The Roald Dahl Story Co". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Wonka". Writers Guild of America West. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (24 May 2021). "Timothée Chalamet to Play Willy Wonka in New Movie From Paddington Director". Collider. from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Kroll, Justin (13 September 2021). "Keegan-Michael Key Joins Warner Bros' Wonka". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (29 September 2021). "Wonka: Warner Bros Movie Adds Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman & Jim Carter". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ Daniels, Nia (17 May 2021). "Wonka prepares for UK shoot". KFTV.com. from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ Fisher, Jacob (5 June 2021). "Nathan Crowley Joins Wonka (Exclusive)". DiscussingFilm. from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ Elgee, Emma (15 October 2021). "Wonka filming: 35 pictures as Bath transformed into winter wonderland for Hollywood blockbuster". Somerset Live. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ Evans, Francesca (17 September 2021). "Another major movie production coming to Lyme Regis' famous Cobb harbour". LymeOnline. from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Dalton, Ben (22 September 2021). "Netflix buys the UK's Roald Dahl Story Company in biggest acquisition to date". Screen International. from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Daly, Rhian (20 October 2021). "Timothée Chalamet's Wonka is filming at the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley". Time Out. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ 에드가 라이트, 티모시 샬라메와의 작업은... '라스트 나잇 인 소호' 정정훈 촬영감독 (in Korean)
- ^ Foster, Alex (16 December 2021). "Willy Wonka Comes To Oxford: Work Begins On Timothee Chalamet's New Film". The Oxford Student. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ Way, Fran (16 February 2022). "Pictures: Timothée Chalamet filming for the new Wonka film, Oxford". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ Murphy, J. Kim (10 October 2021). . Variety. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (1 October 2021). . Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Heritage, Stuart (11 October 2021). . The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Colangelo, B. J. (26 April 2022). "Wonka Footage Reaction: Timothée Chalamet Inspires More Pure Imagination [CinemaCon 2022]". /Film. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ "Timothée Chalamet as 'Wonka' and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa Wow with CinemaCon First Look". IndieWire. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ D'Aless, Anthony; ro; Tartaglione, Nancy (27 April 2022). "Timothée Chalamet 'Wonka' Trailer Surprises At CinemaCon". Deadline. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (25 April 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Brings Whimsical 'Wonka' Trailer to CinemaCon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ "Timothée Chalamet as 'Wonka' and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa Wow with CinemaCon First Look". IndieWire. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (9 March 2022). "Warner Bros Release Dates: The Flash & Aquaman Moved To 2023; Wonka, Shazam Sequel & Others Shift". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
External links
- Wonka at IMDb