‘Wonka’ Musical Starring Timotheé Chalamet Begins Filming in the UK
The filming of Wonka is underway as fans grow excited for the musical movie starring Timotheé Chalamet as the young chocolatier. Production will take place in the UK under Warner Bros. Pictures with an expected release date for March 2023.
At last I can tell you I am currently filming ‘Wonka’. So excited to be part of this brilliant musical. xxx
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) September 29, 2021
While little is known about the plot so far, Wonka serves as a prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). In the former, the late Gene Wilder starred as everyone’s favorite kooky chocolatier. Johnny Depp portrayed the same character in the most recent version.
Now, it’s Chalamet’s turn to bring Willy Wonka to life. The film explores the origin story of the “vivid, mythical beginnings of the imaginative young inventor,” according to a press release.
Timothée Chalamet will be my new favorite Willy Wonka after Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka pic.twitter.com/Df5cM9G6N2
— Matheus ⚯͛ (@MatheusCrane) September 29, 2021
But Chalamet is not the only big-name arriving on set. Additional cast members include Rowan Atkinson, Rakhee Thakrar, Matt Lucas, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell, and Oscar winner Olivia Coleman (The Crown). We can expect lots of singing and dancing from this bunch (and hopefully a rendition of “Pure Imagination” from Chalemet himself).
I was slightly excited for this movie, but after hearing this news. Wonka will be the best movie of 2023 and Rowan will get an Oscar nomination for his role in the movie. pic.twitter.com/L4Sv0P2yel
— Brenton (@dcuverse) September 29, 2021
Meanwhile, Paul King (Paddington 2) is directing the movie, based on a screenplay from him and Simon Farnaby. Other names involved include producers David Heyman (Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts) and Luke Kelly (The Witches).
“It’s a prequel, it’s not a sequel. What makes Willy—when we find him at the chocolate factory doing the golden ticket, where is he before that,” Heyman told Collider back in 2018. “What leads him to that place where he’s locked himself away?… It’s how does he get there? So we’re playing around with that.”
• Paul King writing and directing
— Johnny Sobczak (@JohnnySobczak) September 29, 2021
• Timothée Chalamet acting, singing and dancing as Wonka
• Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins and Olivia Colman supporting
• 6-time Oscar-nominee Nathan Crowley doing production design
One of the best movies of 2023 otw tbh https://t.co/LDHji1kuBN
We may not be seeing Wonka in theaters for at least another year. Be on the lookout for behind-the-scenes footage in the meantime. Or prepare yourself by watching either of the originals on HBO Max now.
Writer | @IlanaDavis24
