Based on the extraordinary character at the centre 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 humour.
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.
The man himself, Timothée Chalamet, says that the film investigates the fact that “Every good thing in this world starts started with a dream.”
He adds: “I love the optimistic, positive attitude the young Willy has, or that he won’t take no for an answer and refuses to give up on his dreams.”
Adding on that, director Paul King says that “because this is a Roald Dahl Universe movie, I suppose the world is not the kind of gracious, warm, welcoming place that we might hope it is. But he, Willy Wonka, sort of won’t take no for an answer and sets out to change things just as they should be.”
British royalty Olivia Colman, who plays “Mrs. Scrubbit, even discussed her experience working on the film. “It’s really fun playing a baddie and I knew I’d have fun on the job with Paul, and I wanted to work with Paul.
“I love the Paddington’s and I’m a big fan of Timmy’s. I thought it would be a really fun thing to do. And it was. I literally enjoyed every day.”
It’s a fantastical and magical treat as Wonka releases in UK cinemas on 8th December 2023.
