Movies › Wonka
Wonka 2023
Children's fantasyComedy-dramaMusical fantasy
Wonka is a 2023 musical fantasy film directed by Paul King, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Simon Farnaby. This movie serves as a prequel to events depicted in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. The main role of Willy Wonka is played by Timothée Chalamet, with additional performances from Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant. The story follows young Willy Wonka's journey into the chocolate business while facing challenges from future competitors.
The project started when Warner Bros. Pictures regained the rights to the character in October 2016 and announced that this would be an origin tale. The film presents a new narrative and was crafted to function as a "companion piece" to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, incorporating some of its musical themes, visual motifs, and Oompa Loompa designs. In May 2021, Joby Talbot was confirmed to take on the role of Wonka, with the full supporting cast revealed in September of that year. Principal photography commenced in the United Kingdom during September at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, along with locations including Oxford, Lyme Regis, Bath, St Albans, and the Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park, London. The original soundtrack was composed by Neil Hannon, while Joby Talbot created the musical score.
The film made its debut in London at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre on November 28, 2023, before being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures in the United Kingdom on December 8 and in the United States on December 15. Critics responded favorably to the movie, particularly praising Chalamet's acting and the overall production quality. It proved commercially successful, earning over $634 million globally against a $125 million budget, ranking as the eighth highest-grossing film of 2023. The film earned a BAFTA Award nomination for Outstanding British Film, and Chalamet received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. A sequel is currently in development.
Trailer
Plays from YouTube only after you click.
Cast
- Timothée ChalametWilly Wonka
- Colin O'Brienyoung Willy
- Calah LaneNoodle
- Keegan-Michael Keythe sweet-toothed Chief-of-Police in league with the Chocolate Cartel
- Paterson JosephArthur Slugworth
- Matt LucasGerald Prodnose
- Mathew BayntonFelix Fickelgruber
- Sally HawkinsMrs. Wonka
- Rowan AtkinsonFather Julius
- Jim CarterAbacus Crunch
- Natasha RothwellPiper Benz
- Olivia ColmanMrs. Scrubitt
- Hugh Grantthe motion capture of Lofty
- Rich FulcherLarry Chucklesworth
- Rakhee ThakrarLottie Bell
- Tom DavisBleacher
- Kobna Holdbrook-SmithOfficer Affable
- Simon FarnabyBasil
- Phil WangColin and Barbara
- Ellie WhiteGwennie
- Freya ParkerMiss Bon Bon
- Sophie Winklemanthe countess
- Murray McArthura ship captain
- Isy Suttiea produce vendor
- Ben Howard and Muzz Khan
- Tim FitzHigham
- Jane BertishBaroness Von Schmeichelhammer
- Dominic ColemanDonovan
- Tracy IfeachorDorothy Smith
Crew
- Director
- Paul King
- Screenplay
- Simon Farnaby, Paul King
- Story
- Paul King
- Producer
- David Heyman, Alexandra Derbyshire, Luke Kelly
- Cinematography
- Chung Chung-hoon
- Editing
- Mark Everson
- Music
- Joby Talbot
Details
- Production
- Heyday Films, The Roald Dahl Story Company, Village Roadshow Pictures
- Distributor
- Warner Bros. Pictures (United States)
- Budget
- $125 million
- Box office
- $634.5 million
