Few characters are as captivating as Willy Wonka, the unique master of chocolate and other confectionery, a character created by Roald Dahl in his novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Now he's returning to the big screen, but this time portrayed by a different actor. So, let's take a look back at all the cinematic portrayals of Willy Wonka.
The creator of Willy Wonka: Roald Dahl
Several authors have managed to attract the attention of major film studios with their works, and one of them is Roald Dahl. This British novelist, short story writer, poet, and screenwriter is responsible for such well-known works as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda , among others.
It was precisely with the novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that we met the character of Willy Wonka, a particular lover of sweets and chocolate who built his own factory to unleash his imagination and create the richest sweets in the world.
The universe created around the character and the book's story itself were so fascinating that it quickly caught the attention of the film industry, and the work was adapted for the big screen. Thus, the first film premiered in 1971 under the title Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Many years later, in 2005, the second film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was released, although the story was essentially the same. A boy from a poor family is lucky enough to buy a Wonka chocolate bar with the last golden ticket, which grants access to a guided tour of the factory by its creator himself—don't worry, we won't tell you anything more, so if you haven't seen either film, we won't spoil anything for you.
We now know that a third Willy Wonka film is coming soon, though it will be a rather special one: a prequel exploring the character's younger life. It will premiere on December 15, 2023 —it was initially scheduled for March 17, but was ultimately moved—and will be simply titled Wonka.
wonka
The new film based on Roald Dahl's work will be called Wonka and, as we've mentioned, will tell the story of Willy Wonka when he was younger. This means that, according to information gathered by some media outlets, there won't be a direct connection to what you might have read in the novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or seen in the films.
On the other hand, the film starring Timothée Chalamet will have a musical feel, so the popular actor, whom we have already seen in numerous films (such as Little Women, Bones and All , Call Me By Your Name , or Dune , among others), will not only have to sing but also dance, something that will surely be quite a challenge for him.
So, if you saw the previous films and enjoyed them, keep an eye out for the new one because it will probably win you over. The film will be directed by Paul King , the director responsible for the two Paddington films (1 and 2), which is certainly a guarantee of quality, especially considering he had to give up directing the third installment in order to make Wonka. The British director must be very confident in his abilities and the final result that will hit the big screen to make such a leap.
Below you will find the two video trailers currently available for the film, both in the original version with subtitles and dubbed into Spanish:
Wonka – Trailer 1 on VOSE
Wonka – Trailer 1 in Spanish
Wonka – Trailer 2 on VOSE
Wonka – Trailer 2 in Spanish
All the faces of Willy Wonka
Giving life to a character as particular as Willy Wonka is not easy, which is why choosing the actor to play him on the big screen must be quite complex. Even so, we only have to refer to the first two films made, where it seems that those responsible knew how to do quite well with the casting.
Want to know all the actors who have played Willy Wonka ? Well, here they are: Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, and Timothée Chalamet. These are the two who have already done it, and the last one will be playing him in the next film.
Gene Wilder
The first Willy Wonka movie in theaters starred Gene Wilder . He was the first to bring to life the eccentric designer of the great chocolate and candy factory. He was a good fit for the role, and we can't say he looked bad in that purple suit at all.
Wilder also ventured into directing and was in charge of several films (four in total), including The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (in 1975) or The World's Greatest Lover (1977).
He retired from acting in 2003 and died in 2016 at the age of 83.
Below is a short clip from the film directed by Mel Stuart, in which you can see Gene Wilder in better quality than the original, because it's a 4K re-release . While the image quality is improved, the visual style of the era remains unchanged. After all, it's 50 years old now, which is quite a long time.
Despite its age, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory still retains a certain charm that makes it enjoyable even today. The film was even nominated for an Oscar and is considered a true cinematic classic.
By the way, if you want to watch it, it's available on Netflix.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp brought the second Willy Wonka to life on the big screen . This one, directed by Tim Burton, is considered by many fans of the novel to be the best Willy Wonka film ever made. Granted, it's a relatively easy title to win, given that it had the same odds as its rival (50/50) and the advantage of much more striking visual effects. Not to mention Burton's touch in creating such special and unique atmospheres.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was filmed at Pinewood Studios in the UK between June and December 2004, and was released in 2005. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $475 million worldwide.
Below you have the trailer in Spanish, which will also give you an idea of ​​the film, if for some reason you haven't seen it yet.
Striking, isn't it? It's another version of the character, much more colorful, and the charismatic actor's performance makes it arguably the best so far. By the way, if you're interested in watching it, it's only available on video platforms as a rental or purchase option.
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet is the new Willy Wonka , and although surpassing Johnny Depp's role was no easy feat, it seems he has finally passed with flying colors. Being one of the most sought-after actors and having seen his performances in films like Dune and Call by Your Name led many to believe he could even outperform Depp at the box office, thanks primarily to his immense appeal among young audiences, where he is a true phenomenon.
So much so that its opening weekend grossed $39 million in the US, and at the time of writing, it has easily surpassed $500 million. The trailers themselves, like the ones you see above, already hinted that we could thoroughly enjoy this new story , full of fantasy, impressive special effects, and a fresh plot that brings a new dimension to the chocolatier's universe. And let's not forget Hugh Grant as the Oompa Loompa, who delivers some of the film's best moments.
Having reviewed all the actors who have portrayed the character, who is your favorite Willy Wonka? Do you think Timothée Chalamet has finally lived up to expectations?