Wonka is one of the most anticipated films of the festive season and audiences are eager to see the origin of the infamous chocolate maker that we all love from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Helmed by Paddington director Paul King, the film follows the story of how Willy become… Wonka.
On how he wanted to portray the young Wonka, Paul King said “I think he’s a great optimist. Our story is set 25 years before the events of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So, he’s a young man taking his first steps into the world. And hehopes for great things. And 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.”
TimothéeChalamet added “I was enamoured by Paul’s work prior to both Paddington films, and I was daunted by the idea of playing Willy Wonka because it’s a beloved character. But within five pages of reading the script, I saw how clever Paul’s take was on the on the story of how Willy became the Wonka.”
Screenwriter Simon Farnby (who has collaborated with King previously on Paddington) mused on the process him and King had whilst writing the film. “We try and stay apart, but mean really, we’re better off together. We try to zoom and keep out of each other’s houses, but know we are better together when we’re in the room. And Paul’s very good at typing and I’m good at talking. I type with one finger. No, we did. We, we, we have we make each other laugh a lot, which is very important.”
Wonka is the name on everyone’s lips this season andreleases in UK cinemas on 8th December 2023.