A world of pure imagination opens up in the forthcoming Wonka movie. This is the prequel to Roald Dahl's classic story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was famously adapted as 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder in the title role.
We're now presented with man-of-the-moment Timothée Chalamet (soon to be seen in Dune: Part Two) as cinema's most iconic candy-maker, as he launches full flight into a visually splendrous adventure from Paddington director Paul King. Here's what we've learned from the first trailer.
1. Yes, that's Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa
British scene-stealer Hugh has been shrunk down to a fantastically implausible size to play Oompa Loompa point zero – in other words, the first of his kind to make contact with Willy Wonka. And that tune he starts singing may well be familiar to fans of the 1971 classic...
2. The story focuses on Willy Wonka's chocolate-making journey
Ever wondered how Willy Wonka embarked on his journey to candyman par excellence? We find out here as Timothee Chalamet's younger iteration of the character begins to hit on the ideal chocolate recipe, with the help of a young girl played by newcomer Calah Lane. Olivia Colman and Jim Carter appear as the shop owners who inspire Wonka to go one better, and Rowan Atkinson also turns up as a priest.
3. It most certainly is a scrumptious musical
It has been confirmed by Chalamet that there are, in fact, seven song-and-dance routines in the movie. And we know Paul King is a dab hand at this sort of thing, judging by Paddington 2's climactic riot of pink and camp. We're loving the classic Paul King flourishes, from the 'no daydreaming' sign to the literalization of the 'eureka' lightbulb moment.
4. The villains are rival chocolatiers
Matt Baynton, of Horrible Histories and Ghosts fame, plays Wonka's candy-making rival, and he's joined by Matt Lucas and Paterson Joseph as his confectioners in crime.
5. It acknowledges the visual aesthetic of the original Gene Wilder movie
From Chalamet's top hat and purple jacket arrangement to the sly verbal cues in the trailer (we've already mentioned the Hugh Grant Oompa Loompa song), this isn't looking to be a complete reinvention of the original Wonka movie, something that Paul King has confirmed.
6. The story is all about Willy honouring his mother
Sally Hawkins improves everything she turns up in. We're loving the fact that she is playing Willy's (presumably deceased) mother who propels him on his spiritual and delicious journey. We imagine this arc will prompt more than a few tears come the end of the film.
Wonka is released at Cineworld on December 15th.
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