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First Official “Wonka” Trailer Features “Oompa Loompa” Hugh Grant

First Official "Wonka" Trailer Features "Oompa Loompa" Hugh Grant
Credit: Warner Bros

2023 has been a fantastic year for film! It appears the box office is still going strong. Coming off of the success of Super Mario Bros, Warner Bros Studios gave viewers a taste of what’s to come later in the year. In a time where prequels reign supreme, Warner Bros may have struck gold with their newest work. Taking on the story of fiction’s most famous chocolatier, Warner Bros Studios released their official Wonka trailer today, and fans are already eager to check out the film! 

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Starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, looking to open his first chocolate factory, the story will give us an inside look at what made Wonka the quirky and eccentric character we’ve come to love through performances by Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp. Chalamet, known for his role in Dune, joins a star-studded cast that includes Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) and Hugh Grant. Some names that Disney fans will be familiar with are Keengan-Michael Key (Toy Story 4) and potentially Ryan Gosling (Mickey Mouse Club).

Wonka First Look Photos

Credit: People/ Warner Bros/ JAAP BUITTENDIJK

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Wonka director Paul King recently sat down with Entertainment Weekly and gave fans a little insight into his take on the classic character,

I was just reading the book [Charlie and the Chocolate Factory], and the Oompa Loompas have these incredible long songs,” he says. “They’re really funny, but they’re biting and sarcastic and judgmental. The Oompa Loompas are able to take gleeful delight in the demise of children who are touring the chocolate factory. When I thought about their voice [separate] from the song and how these characters might speak, what their attitude was, it seemed this very sort of withering, sarcastic, scornful, quite pleased with themselves… It sounds terrible, but Hugh’s voice just popped into my head. I thought it was a stretch, but I sent him a very short email, and amazingly he came along and did it. He’s such a genius. He took to it like a duck to water. It’s obviously a long, involved performance process to turn Hugh Grant into an 18-inch-high character, but he did everything and he was brilliant. He was on set with Timothée Chalamet. They were able to play together and improvise together, and I think they’ve got a brilliant relationship through the movie. It’s very clear who’s the boss, and it’s not Willy.”

Yes, you read that correctly, Hugh Grant (Glass Onion, Dungeon and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Paddington 2) will become an Oompa-Loompa, and we got our first look today. 

This take on Wonka will be an interesting one. Including several musical numbers, the story will portray the not-yet-famous chocolatier attempting to head up his own business against stiff competition, aptly named “The Chocolate Cartel.” King told EW that he sees his Wonka film as a “companion” to the 1971’s Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Anyone familiar with that version knows how Gene Wilder portrayed Willie Wonka. He was fun, mysterious, and exciting but also a little creepy. 

Wonka First Look Photos

Credit: People/ Warner Bros/ JAAP BUITTENDIJK

The newest take on Wonka will be interesting. Keeping to that original 1971 storyline will prove valuable and recognizable, as noted by the apparent look of Grant in his glass cage. The tiny size, green hair, and orange skin immediately read Oompa-Loompa. The film is currently slated to begin showing in theatres later this year on December 15. Trust us, we will be there! 

 

About Michael Arnold

Michael is a father, husband, and an Army Veteran. Michael spends his weekends at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando checking out new merchandise and food. Michael is a graduate of the University of Alabama and has an education background in Public Health. You can find Michael riding Pirates of the Caribbean over and over again or binge watching new Marvel and Star Wars content. Han shot first. Thor is the strongest Avenger. Roll Tide and Wash Your Hands!