The Wonka story has been around as far back as 1964, fromRoald Dahl’s children’s novelCharlie and the Chocolate Factory. Since then, the story has been adapted into a few movies, including the classicWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factoryfrom 1971 and the moremodern recreation byTim Burtonin 2005.
It may not seem like a long time for those who remember the last adaptation, butWonkawill capture a whole new generation’s imagination in the world of candy factories. For the older generation, this will expand on the story of Willy Wonka and serve as a prequel, which is an excellent introduction to the classics for younger viewers. It will also combine young superstars with actors who have been a staple in the industry for years. Let’s dive into who these memorable faces will be and the exciting characters they will portray.
Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, ‘Wonka’ tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka
Timothée Chalametcaptures the same charm once portrayed by the late greatGene Wilderas Willy Wonka. Chalamet’s take on the classic character strives for innovation in the chocolate industry in a cold world where the freedom to express oneself is seen as a criminal act. But with a little magic and determination, Wonka continues to chase his dream and believes that nothing is impossible.
WonkadirectorPaul Kingpraised Chalamet’s singing voice, proclaiming:
“The person it reminded me of was Bing Crosby. There’s quite a range, because it does go from a couple of bigger, showstopper-y sort of things, to moments of real, pure emotion and he can do it all… I’m going to sound like a crazed fan.”
At just 22 years old, Chalamet became the third-youngest Best Actor nominee in the history of the Academy Awards, for his acclaimed performance inCall Me By Your Name. The heartthrob has worked with some of the biggest filmmakers in the business, includingChristopher Nolan(Interstellar),Wes Anderson(The French Dispatch),Denis Villeneuve(theDunemovies),Greta Gerwig(Lady BirdandLittle Women),Luca Guadagnino(Call Me By Your NameandBones & All), andAdam McKay(Don’t Look Up). Up next for Chalamet is the highly anticipated sci-fi sequelDune: Part Two, andJames Mangold’sA Complete Unknown, where he’ll star as Bob Dylan.
Olivia Colman as Mrs. Scrubbit
Academy Award winnerOlivia Colman’s, Mrs. Scrubbit, is almost unrecognizable as her costume design is so well done. This evil innkeeper tricks Wonka into a lifelong contract to work for her in terrible conditions among her crew of other unintentional workers.
Olivia Colmanis a highly acclaimed actress most known for her Oscar-winning role as Queen Anne inThe Favourite, as well as for her Emmy-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in Seasons 3 and 4 ofThe Crown. Colman has also received Oscar nominations for her roles inThe FatherandThe Lost Daughter, and Emmy nominations for her work inFleabagandThe Night Manager. Her award-winning roles have skyrocketed Colman to international fame, with her film and television credits also includingEmpire of Light,Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,Heartstopper,Secret Invasion,Ron’s Gone Wrong, andThe Mitchells vs the Machines. Up next for Colman isthe family-friendly sequelPaddington in Peru, the musical dramaGirl from the North Country, andthe fantasy romanceWicker.
Tom Davis as Bleacher
InWonka,Tom Davisplays Bleacher, the co-owner of the Inn with Mrs. Scrubbit. He also aids in the deception, which traps Willy Wonka and the other workers into a lifelong contract.
Davis is an actor and comedian who is also well known for helping to create the semi-improvised showMurder in Successville. This isn’t Davis' first time working with Paul King, having previously played the role of T-Bone inPaddington 2. Most recently, he was cast in the acclaimed Showtime seriesThe Curse, alongsideNathan FielderandEmma Stone.
Hugh Grant as Lofty
Who can forget the classic Oompa Loompas working and singing in the Wonka factory? Though they’ve had a checkered past of controversy from the original Dahl novels regarding their origins, the modern version appears as a seemingly sarcasticHugh Grant. He’s an excellent choice to play the role and gives the character greater dialogue, expanding on the Oompa Loompa story. His charming, tongue-in-cheek humor, seen in his roles likePaddington 2andDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, translates extremely well to a character of this stature.
Grant is a highly celebrated actor most known for his work withRichard Curtisin the filmsLove Actually,Four Weddings and a Funeral,Notting Hill, andBridget Jones’s Diary. Grant’s filmography also includesThe Gentlemen,The Undoing,Florence Foster Jenkins,The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre,About a Boy,Sense and Sensibility,Cloud Atlas, andTwo Weeks Notice. Coming up next for Grant is theHBO limited seriesThe Regimewhere he’ll star alongsideKate Winslet,Jerry Seinfeld’s feature directorial debutUnfrosted, and the A24 horror movieHeretic.
Keegan-Michael Key as The Chief of Police
Keegan-Michael Keyplays the chief of police inWonka,and his character is quite easily corruptible by the looks of his obsession with chocolate. He can be seen getting helped out of a police car after a significant weight gain due to his insatiable appetite. It might even be a nod to the original film, as many will remember the classic mishap when Violet Beauregarde decides to chew a piece of gum, which is said to provide a three-course meal inWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. For those who don’t remember, it ends with Violet being hauled away by Oompa Loompas, blown up like a balloon by an inexplicable amount of juice from the gum.
Key, the king of playing ironic characters, is perhaps most well-known for his showKey & Peelewhere he starred alongsideJordan Peele. While his co-star on the sketch series has gone off to become an Oscar-winning filmmaker, Key has largely stuck to the world of comedy. His credits includeKeanu,The Predator,The Prom,Schmigadoon!,Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,Dolemite Is My Name,Vacation,Parks and Recreation,Pitch Perfect 2, andDon’t Think Twice. Key also has an impressive resume of voice-acting roles in films such asToy Story 4,The Super Mario Bros. Movie,Wendell & Wild,Storks, theHotel Transylvaniasequels,The Angry Birds Movie,Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and most recentlyMigration. Key’s upcoming projects include the animated prequel movieTransformers Oneand the Christmas comedyDear Santa.
Calah Lane as Noodle
Calah Laneis a new star on the rise. She has an undeniable chemistry with Timothée Chalamet, playing the role of Noodle. Wonka and Noodle meet, working under the tyranny of Mrs. Scrubbit, and the two join forces to break out of this poverty. The pair inspire each other to follow their dreams no matter how unbelievably magical they might seem.
Lane has been credited for roles on television series such asKiddingandThis Is Us, as well as a part inThe Day Shall Come, butWonkamay be her biggest breakthrough.
Sally Hawkins as Willy’s Mother
Academy Award nomineeSally Hawkinsappears inWonka, perhaps in Willy’s imagination, as his mother, speaking to him from the crowd and blowing a kiss. The role will undoubtedly be a tear-jerker for the film and may emerge as a big source of his determination for success.
Hawkins is best known for her Oscar-nominated role in the Best Picture-winnerThe Shape of Water. She also received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role inBlue Jasmine. Hawkins’ other credits includeSpencer,Godzilla(and its sequelGodzilla: King of the Monsters),Submarine,Jane Eyre,Maudie,Never Let Me Go, andAn Education. She’s also previously worked with director Paul King in bothPaddingtonmovies. Hawkins' next role will be oppositeEthan Hawkein the movieLucia.
Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius
Rowan Atkinsoncan be seen inWonkarunning from a giraffe dressed as the priest, Father Julius. Atkinson’s uncanny ability to perform physical comedy with little dialogue is sure to have many hilarious moments throughout the film.
Atkinson is undoubtedly most recognized as the hilariously quirky character Mr. Bean, who appeared in the British sitcomMr. Beanand the feature filmBean. Despite his occasional announcements of retiring Mr. Bean’s character, cameos still pop up from time to time when you least expect them, proving that Atkinson has still got it. His other credits include roles inThe Lion King, theJohnny Englishfilms,Love Actually,Man vs. Bee,Scooby-Doo, andRat Race.
Matt Lucas as Prodnose
Matt Lucas' character, Prodnose, is among the evil chocolate cartel group who are set on controlling the market and preventing Wonka from bringing in his wild, innovative treats.
If you’ve ever bingedThe Great British Bake Offseries, then you are probably familiar with Lucas. However, his breakout success is largely thanks to the sketch-comedy showLittle Britain, where he played multiple hilarious roles. Lucas has also starred in Disney’s live-actionAlice in Wonderlandmovies as Tweedledee & Tweedledum,Bridesmaids,Doctor Who,Shaun of the Dead, and he previously worked with King on the firstPaddingtonmovie. Lucas will next be seen next year inRidley Scott’s highly anticipated sequelGladiator 2.
Jim Carter as Abacus Crunch
Jim Carter’s role inWonkais another chocolate cartel member named Abacus Crunch. He explains to Wonka the impossibility of entering the chocolate market without the necessary prerequisites of owning a chocolate shop.
Carter, most known for his role inDownton Abbey, has been acting professionally since the 70s. His prolific career and dedication to the craft are remarkable. Outside Downton Abbey, Carter has also starred in films such asShakespeare in Love,Top Secret!,Transformers: The Last Knight,The Witches,Black Beauty,Richard III,My Week with Marilyn,102 Dalmatians,The Golden Compass, andElla Enchanted.
Who Else Stars in ‘Wonka’?
As you can likely tell, Wonka has a stellar cast, and it doesn’t stop there; also starring in the movie areNatasha Rothwell(The White Lotus) as Piper Benz,Paterson Joseph(The Beach) as Arthur Slugworth,Rich Fulcher(Marriage Story) as Larry Chucklesworth,Rakhee Thakrar(Sex Education) as Lottie Bell, andMathew Baynton(BBC’sGhosts) as Fickelgruber.
