Earlier this week (January 19) Warner Bros announced an upcoming prequel to Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, titled Wonka. While plot details are still being kept under wraps, it’s presumed that the film will focus on a younger version of the titular confectioner, and Timothée Chalamet is reportedly up for the role.
According to Collider, the Call Me By Your Name actor is being considered alongside Tom Holland to play Willy Wonka in the new film, which is slated to release in March 2023. Admittedly, it’s unclear whether either have actually received an offer (or have any interest in the part) but it’s pretty easy to see Chalamet as a younger version of Johnny Depp’s reclusive chocolate factory owner, in Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation.
Back in 2018, Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling, and Ezra Miller’s names also cropped up in early talks about who would play Willy Wonka in Warner Bros’ new adaptation. Reportedly, none are still connected with the project.
With a script from Simon Rich – the writer behind Seth Rogen’s An American Pickle – Wonka will be directed by Paul King. The original 1971 version of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder as the definitive Willy Wonka, was based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 book of the same name.
ICYMI, Timothée Chalamet is set to play Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s Going Electric. He also stars across from Zendaya in Denis Villeneuve’s forthcoming Dune adaptation, and forms part of the massive ensemble cast for Wes Anderson’s much-delayed film The French Dispatch.
Will he take on Willy Wonka next? Will there be Oompa-Loompas? Do we really need a Charlie & the Chocolate Factory prequel? According to Variety, the studio is eager to begin casting, so hopefully we’ll have answers sooner rather than later.