Wonka (film)
Wonka | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
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[a] |
Edited by | Mark Everson |
Music by | Joby Talbot |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 116 minutes |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Budget | $125 million[3] |
Wonka is a 2023 musical fantasy film directed by Paul King, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby, based on a story by King. It tells the origin story of the titular Willy Wonka, a character in the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, featuring his early days as an eccentric chocolatier.[4] The film stars Timothée Chalamet in the title role, along with newcomer Calah Lane and an ensemble cast including Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman and Hugh Grant.
Development began after Warner Bros. Pictures, which previously released its own adaptation of the 1964 novel in 2005, acquired the rights to the titular character in October 2016 and revealed the film would serve as an origin story for Wonka. In May 2021, Chalamet was confirmed to be playing Wonka 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 Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Watford, as well as Oxford, Lyme Regis, Bath, St Albans and at the Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park, London. The original songs for the film were contributed by Neil Hannon, while its original score was provided by Joby Talbot.
Wonka had a special screening at ShowEast on 24 October 2023,[5] and is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on 8 December and in the United States on 15 December, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Premise
The story of how Willy Wonka went from a young adult selling chocolate in a small candy store to an eccentric genius known all over the world.
Cast
- Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka, an eccentric aspiring chocolatier with a difficult dream to open his very own chocolate shop. According to Chalamet, he was Paul King's first and only choice to pick for the role after seeing his high school YouTube performances online that proved his vocal and dancing skills.[6] Before Chalamet was cast, Tom Holland, Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling, and Ezra Miller were in consideration to portray the titular character.[7]
- Calah Lane as Noodle[8]
- Keegan-Michael Key as the Chief-of-Police[8]
- Paterson Joseph as Arthur Slugworth[8]
- Matt Lucas as Prodnose[8]
- Mathew Baynton as Ficklegruber[8]
- Sally Hawkins as Willy Wonka's mother
- Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius[8]
- Jim Carter as Abacus Crunch[8]
- Tom Davis as Bleacher[8]
- Olivia Colman as Mrs. Scrubbit[8]
- Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa[9][8]
- Natasha Rothwell as Piper Benz[8]
- Rich Fulcher as Larry Chucklesworth[8]
- Rakhee Thakrar as Lottie Bell[8]
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
- Simon Farnaby
- Colin O'Brien
- Ellie White
- Murray McArthur[10]
- Tracy Ifeachor[11]
- Isy Suttie[12]
Production
![Timothée Chalamet standing in front of a blue background at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival in 2017](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Timoth%C3%A9e_Chalamet_Call_Me_By_Your_Name_Photo_Call_Berlinale_2017.jpg/170px-Timoth%C3%A9e_Chalamet_Call_Me_By_Your_Name_Photo_Call_Berlinale_2017.jpg)
In October 2016, Warner Bros. Pictures reacquired the rights to the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) character Willy Wonka created by Roald Dahl, with a film in development from producers David Heyman and Michael Siegel.[13] In February 2018, it was announced Paul King was in negotiations to direct.[14][15] 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,[7] and it was revealed the film would serve as a prequel to the events of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[16]
In January 2021, it was confirmed King would direct the film, now titled Wonka.[17] In May, Timothée Chalamet was cast in the title role and it was announced the film would include several musical numbers. He was the director's only and first pick for the role, stating he offered the actor the part with no audition after seeing his high school YouTube performances online that proved his vocal and dancing skills.[6] Chalamet was paid $9 million for his involvement.[18] 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.[19][20] Tom Holland had also been a frontrunner for the role before Chalamet was cast.[21] 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.[22][23]
Principal photography began in the United Kingdom in September 2021,[24] with Seamus McGarvey set as cinematographer, Nathan Crowley as production designer,[25] Mark Everson as film editor, and Lindy Hemming as costume designer.[23] Filming took place in Lyme Regis and Bath,[26] as well as at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Watford.[27][28] Filming also occurred at the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, London.[29] By December, McGarvey exited as cinematographer with Chung Chung-hoon replacing him.[30] Scenes were shot in Oxford in December and February.[31][32]
Music
Neil Hannon, lead singer of the band The Divine Comedy, contributes original songs for the film.[23] The musical score was composed by Joby Talbot.[33]
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,[34][35] which itself is a quote from the 1895 play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.[36] The Guardian noted that the image was met with mixed reception online.[37]
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.[38][4] Deadline described the trailer: "Think Fantastic Beasts in regards to period (early 20th century), but so much more fun".[39] 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,[40] which caused criticism from actors with dwarfism, including Jason Acuña, who remarked, "So I guess Hugh Grant, you’re now identifying as a little person".[41] IndieWire praised Chalamet's transformation as Wonka remarking: "like the chocolate he concocts in this first trailer, it will make you fly".[42] The trailer was released to the public on July 11, 2023 alongside a teaser poster.[43]
Release
Wonka is scheduled to be theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2023[44], followed by the United States, on December 15, 2023, in both conventional theaters and in Dolby Cinema and IMAX.[45] It was originally set for March 17, 2023.[17][46]
Reception
Accolades
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
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Hollywood Music in Media Awards | November 15, 2023 | Original Song — Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film | Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, and Paul King ("A World of Your Own") | Pending | [47] |
Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, and Paul King ("You've Never Had Chocolate Like This") | Pending | ||||
Best Song – Onscreen Performance (Film) | Timothée Chalamet ("A World of Your Own") | Pending | |||
Music Themed Film, Biopic, or Musical | Wonka | Pending |
Notes
- ^ Seamus McGarvey was the film's original cinematographer,[1] but left during production. Chung was hired in his place and will be solely credited as the film's cinematographer.[2]
References
- ^ https://www.warnerbros.com/news/press-releases/filming-is-underway-on-warner-bros-pictures-wonka
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Timothée Chalamet as 'Wonka' and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa Wow with CinemaCon First Look". IndieWire. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ "Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Special Screening of WONKA". www.filmexpos.com. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ a b "'Wonka' trailer: Timothée Chalamet meets Hugh Grant's Oompa-Loompa". nme.com. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (5 June 2018). "Exclusive: Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling Lead WB's Willy Wonka Shortlist". Collider. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lang, Robert (12 October 2023). "Wonka Movie Posters: Timothée Chalamet, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Coleman, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Grant, Calah Lane & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Vejvoda, Jim (25 April 2023). "Hugh Grant Plays an Oompa Loompa in the Willy Wonka Prequel". IGN. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Murray McArthur". Dalzell & Beresford Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Share, Immy (12 November 2021). "Film set in Eltham Palace reportedly for new Wonka movie". News Shopper. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ Travis, Ben. "Wonka Trailer Breakdown: Paul King Talks Timothée Chalamet, Oompa-Loompas, And Chocolate Cartels". Empire. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (19 October 2016). "Willy Wonka New Film in the Works From David Heyman and Warner Bros. (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived 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. Archived 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. Archived 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. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (19 January 2021). "Warner Bros. Dates Willy Wonka Prequel For 2023 With David Heyman Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt; Rubin, Rebecca (20 July 2022). "Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for Joker 2, Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More". Variety. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Wonka". Writers Guild of America West. 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (24 May 2021). "Timothée Chalamet to Play Willy Wonka in New Movie From Paddington Director". Collider. Archived 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. Archived 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. Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ Daniels, Nia (17 May 2021). "Wonka prepares for UK shoot". KFTV.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ Fisher, Jacob (5 June 2021). "Nathan Crowley Joins Wonka (Exclusive)". DiscussingFilm. Archived from the original on 14 June 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. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ Evans, Francesca (17 September 2021). "Another major movie production coming to Lyme Regis' famous Cobb harbour". LymeOnline. Archived 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. Archived 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. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ 에드가 라이트, 티모시 샬라메와의 작업은... '라스트 나잇 인 소호' 정정훈 촬영감독 Archived 29 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine (in Korean)
- ^ Foster, Alex (16 December 2021). "Willy Wonka Comes To Oxford: Work Begins On Timothee Chalamet's New Film". The Oxford Student. Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ Way, Fran (16 February 2022). "Pictures: Timothée Chalamet filming for the new Wonka film, Oxford". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ "Joby Talbot Scoring Paul King's 'Wonka'". Film Music Reporter. 26 May 2023.
- ^ Murphy, J. Kim (10 October 2021). "Wonka: Timothée Chalamet Debuts Costume for Upcoming Prequel". Variety. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (1 October 2021). "Timothée Chalamet Posts First Look At His Wonka Character On Social Media". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Cobb, Mark Hughes. "A little nonsense now and then is relished by all but the original pen". Tuscaloosa News.
- ^ Heritage, Stuart (11 October 2021). "Timothée Chalamet's Wonka: is it so wrong to find him scrumdiddlyumptious?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Colangelo, B. J. (26 April 2022). "Wonka Footage Reaction: Timothée Chalamet Inspires More Pure Imagination [CinemaCon 2022]". /Film. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (27 April 2022). "Timothée Chalamet 'Wonka' Trailer Surprises At CinemaCon". Deadline. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (25 April 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Brings Whimsical 'Wonka' Trailer to CinemaCon". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Sharma, Dhruv (6 August 2023). "Wonka's Hugh Grant Oompa-Loompa Casting Controversy Explained". ScreenRant. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "Timothée Chalamet as 'Wonka' and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa Wow with CinemaCon First Look". IndieWire. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Rindner, Grant (11 July 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Is All Smiles and Madcap Energy in the First Trailer for Wonka". GQ. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Timothée Chalamet & Hugh Grant Star In The New Wonka Movie, the Prequel To Charlie And The Chocolate Factory". 9 November 2023.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (9 March 2022). "Warner Bros Release Dates: The Flash & Aquaman Moved To 2023; Wonka, Shazam Sequel & Others Shift". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Wonka: Warner Bros. Delays Timothée Chalamet-Led Prequel Film". 9 March 2022.
- ^ Grein, Paul (2 November 2023). "Songs From 'Barbie' Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
External links
- Official website
- Wonka at AllMovie
- Wonka at IMDb
- 2023 films
- 2023 fantasy films
- 2020s musical films
- 2020s children's fantasy films
- 2020s musical fantasy films
- American musical fantasy films
- British musical fantasy films
- Films about chocolate
- Films based on British novels
- Films based on children's books
- Films based on works by Roald Dahl
- Films directed by Paul King (director)
- Films produced by David Heyman
- Films shot at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden
- Films shot in Dorset
- Films shot in London
- Films shot in Oxfordshire
- Films shot in Somerset
- Heyday Films films
- Warner Bros. films
- Willy Wonka
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s British films
- American prequel films
- British prequel films
- Casting controversies in film