(courtesy IMP Awards)
SNAPSHOT
Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book & one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, Wonka tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, and magician, and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today. 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. Wonka is directed by British filmmaker Paul King, writer / director of the Paddington films, and director of Bunny and the Bull, Come Fly with Me, Space Force, and also The Pajama Men: Last Stand to Reason previously. The screenplay is written by Simon Farnaby (Paddington 2) & Paul King, based on a story by King and characters created by Roald Dahl. It’s produced by David Heyman, Alexandra Derbyshire, and Luke Kelly. (courtesy First Showing)
If you’re of a certain age, and honestly even if you’re not, there’s something darkly but magically enthralling about Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, who came to be loved through Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator books, the first of which became a much-loved 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder as the eponymous chocolatier.
Though there is a dark edge to the character, he’s also one of the most whimsical of Dahl’s creations, a man who bucked established trends and the status quo and did so in a way that wholly enthralled readers the world over.
Now we get to see what and who made Wonka the strangely compelling man he is, with Wonka promising some wit, whimsy and just a little darkness too.
The trailer looks as delightful as you could ask for, and it’s encouraging to see that the people who brought us the emotionally substantial delights of Paddington are onboard.
This looks like it could well be one of the escapist events of the year and with so much bleakness out there in the world, that’s to be wholly welcomed.
Wonka opens on 14 December in Australia and in U.S. on 15 September.