Oscar-nominee Timothée Chalamet will be taking on the role of Roald Dahl's beloved character Willy Wonka, the owner of the marvelous Wonka Chocolate Factory.
Chalamet will be following in the footsteps of Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder, who both played the famous literary character in 2005 and 1974 respectively. The character of Willy Wonka is now receiving his third big-screen portrayal. Newsweek has all of the details about Wonka so far.
When Is 'Wonka' Out?
There is bittersweet news for Timothée Chalamet and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory fans. The good news is, Wonka does have an official release date but unfortunately, audiences will be waiting a little while for the film to premiere.
At the moment, Wonka is set to debut in theatres on March 17, 2023, and if Chalamet's social media accounts are anything to go by, production is underway.
On October 10, Chalamet posted a picture of himself as Willy Wonka, with the caption: "The suspense is terrible, I hope it will last. WONKA."
Willy Wonka and Roald Dahl fans may recognize the caption as the line spoken by Gene Wilder as the first on-screen Willy Wonka in the original 1971 adaptation of Dahl's book Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Fans and famous faces from the acting world took to the comment section under Chalamet's post to share their excitement.
His Dune co-star Zendaya commented: "Absolutely" and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina actor Kiernan Shipka penned: "OH MY GOD."
Pitch Perfect's Rebel Wilson added: "All about this x"
Who Will Star in Wonka?
Timothée Chalamet will lead the cast of Wonka as the titular character, Willy Wonka.
The cast members joining Chalamet include Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, and Jim Carter, whose roles are yet to be disclosed.
You may recognize Atkinson for his portrayal of Mr. Bean and Hawkins as Elisa Esposito in The Shape of Water.
Colman most recently portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown Seasons 3 and 4. Joining Colman is Downtown Abbey's Jim Carter.
Other cast members include Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Mathew Baynton, Tom Davis, Simon Farnaby, Matt Lucas, and Ellie White.
What Is Wonka About?
For now, the plot of Wonka has been mainly kept tightly under wraps.
What we do know is the upcoming film will serve as a prequel and will explore Willy Wonka's life and his journey to creating the magical chocolate factory.
Wonka has been billed as a musical, which means Chalamet is set to sing and dance in the film. Neil Hannon, lead singer of the band The Divine Comedy, will be behind the film's original soundtrack.
The character Willy Wonka was created by Roald Dahl, making his debut in the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory followed the story of Charlie Bucket, a working-class boy who wins a golden ticket to visit the famous chocolate factory run by Willy Wonka.
Wonka marks the third time the literary character has been brought to life. In 1971, Gene Wilder portrayed Willy Wonka in Warner Bro's first adaption of the book, and in 2005, Johnny Depp inherited the role.
Now, it's Timothée Chalamet's turn.
Wonka is coming to theatres on March 17, 2023.
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