Keegan-Michael Key joins cast of 'Wonka' prequel starring Timothée Chalamet

Keegan-Michael Key will star in "Wonka," which explores the early years of Willy Wonka. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Keegan Michael Key (L), and his wife, Elisa Pugliese, arrive on the red carpet at the "A Quiet Place Part II" premiere in March 2020. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Keegan-Michael Key (L), and his wife, Elisa Pugliese, attend the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2020. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Keegan Michael Key talks to the crowd on the importance of voting in September 2018. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI "Wonka" star Timothée Chalamet (R), and Zendaya, attend the red carpet premiere of "Dune" during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 3. File Photo by Rocco Spaziani/UPI

Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Keegan-Michael Key has joined the cast of Wonka, a prequel film from Warner Bros. about a young Willy Wonka starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role.

Key's role in the film is being kept under wraps. Wonka will be a musical with song and dance numbers.

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The prequel will explore the fictional candy maker from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before he opens up his signature factory.

Paddington director Paul King is helming the project with David Heyman (Harry Potter) producing.

King penned the screenplay with Simon Farnaby. Previous writers include Simon Rich, Simon Stephenson, Jeff Nathanson and Steven Levenson.

Wonka is set to hit theaters on March 17. 2023.

Gene Wilder portrayed Willy Wonka in 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Johnny Depp then portrayed the character in director Tim Burton's 2005 version, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Key recently starred in Apple TV+ musical series Schmigadoon.