Timothée Chalamet takes on the role of Wonka in the third movie based on Roald Dahl’s story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Alongside Chalamet, the Warner Bros film will feature a lineup of genuine acting talents such as Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant, and Olivia Colman.
Directed by Paul King, Wonka will serve as a prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, exploring the earlier years of the main character. King revealed that Chalamet was his only choice to play the titular character.
Wonka Was Offered To Timothée Chalamet Without Any Auditions
In an interview with Rolling Stone, director Paul King revealed that Timothée Chalamet was his first and only pick for Wonka. The director disclosed that he offered the role to the Little Women actor after coming across YouTube videos of him singing and dancing during his high school days. King poking fun at Chalamet said that the Lady Bird actor had an absurd life deeming him a perfect fit for the role. The Paddington director said:
“It was a straight offer because he’s great and he was the only person in my mind who could do it. But because he’s Timothée Chalamet and his life is so absurd, his high school musical performances are on YouTube and have hundreds of thousands of views.”
However, back in 2018, before King’s involvement with the project, the studio had compiled a shortlist of actors for the role, including Ryan Gosling, Donald Glover, and Ezra Miller. Timothée Chalamet’s Willy Wonka faced criticism when early set photos were leaked online, leading netizens to criticize his choice of costumes.
Timothée Chalamet Performs Seven Musical Numbers In Wonka
Undoubtedly, Timothée Chalamet was cast as Wonka in the musical fantasy film for his singing and dancing skills. The Call Me by Your Name actor took on the challenge and has performed seven musical numbers for the film. Chalamet addressed these challenges, in an interview with Vogue, along with the online comments ridiculing him:
“You know what’s really funny about that is it’s so misleading. This movie is so sincere, it’s so joyous. I hate to say it, but the dream as an artist is to throw whatever the f*ck you want at the wall, you know? And I guess what I’m realizing is that one’s personal life, one’s adult life, can be quite boring and the artist’s life can still be extraordinary.”
King also praised Chalamet’s acting skills in the movie, emphasizing not only the charm and mysteriousness that the Bones and All actor brings to the Wonka character but also the heart he infuses into the role.
Initially slated for release in March 2023, Wonka is now scheduled to make its theatrical debut on December 15, 2023.
Source: Rolling Stone
