Who is playing Wonka 2023?

Wonka, a prequel to Roald Dahl's beloved 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has been in the works with Warner Bros. since late 2016, but it's only as the much-anticipated release date gets closer that more information is starting to be revealed about the film. While it's known that the project will focus on a never-before-seen period in the character's history, much still remains shrouded in mystery. As such, Wonka is the subject of intense speculation among Dahl fans.

Timothée Chalamet (Dune) will be playing the titular character of Willy Wonka, the eccentric chocolate factory owner. Wonka's director-screenwriter, Paul King, and screenwriter, Simon Farnaby, maybe most known for their work on the family-friendly Paddington franchise, and it's possible that audiences can expect something quite similar from their upcoming production. Filming for the production took place across England, including Bath, London, and Oxford, hinting at the film's period and tone.

Already there have been a few sneak-peeks and promotional shots released for Wonka, potentially hinting at a direction for the film. Someshow Chalamet in the characteristic brown top hat and long purple coat, the same look previously donned by Gene Wilder in 1971 and by Johnny Depp in 2005 for previous adaptations of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. One image even shows Chalamet's Wonka taking a stroll against a blue-skied English backdrop, potentially hinting at a more listless version of the character than has been committed to the screen before. Although much of the information remains in the realm of conjecture, here's everything else that's known about Wonka so far.

Wonka Release Date

Wonka is set to be released on December 15th, 2023. Although its original release date was March 17th, 2023, no official statement has been given about the cause of the delays. Wonka's later release date gives it more time to build anticipation for the film, hopefully leading to a successful opening week at the box office.

Wonka Cast: Timothée Chalamet is Willy Wonka, Who Else Is In It?

For many people, Timothée Chalamet will be enough of a draw to see Wonka, but just in case any more encouragement is needed, it helps to know that Chalamet will be joined by an all-star cast. Key & Peele's Keegan-Michael Key, Heartstopper's Olivia Colman, Sex Education's Rakhee Thakrar, and the iconic Mr. Bean actor, Rowan Atkinson all have roles in Wonka. The Shape of Water star Sally Hawkins is also part of the cast and she previously worked with Wonka's director and screenwriter on the Paddington movies. Although it's not yet known what characters any of these actors will be playing, it's an exciting prospect to imagine how they will all work on-screen together. They all have strong backgrounds in comedic roles, which may be a hint at what kind of tone Wonka will have.

Wonka Story: How Does It Connect To Charlie & The Chocolate Factory?

Since it's a prequel, Wonka will take place before the well-known story seen in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This will be a much younger version of Willy Wonka, as Chalamet was only 25 during filming, compared to a 38-year-old Wilder and a 42-year-old Depp. The plot will probably show how Wonka fell in love with all-things sugary and becomes the famous and reclusive chocolatier from Dahl's novel. The cast has already discounted theories about Willy Wonka's morbid past, by confirming that Wonka won't be a dark origin story. However, it has been confirmed that Wonkawill be a musical, meaning whatever the specific plot might be, there are sure to be some catchy songs and big dance numbers to go along with it. More plot details should be revealed once an official trailer is released.

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