‘Downton Abbey’, ‘Mr Bean’ and ‘The Crown’ stars join new Willy Wonka movie

An amazing cast of British talent has been announced for Wonka.

The upcoming prequel is based on the character of Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Directed by Paul King (Paddington), who also co-wrote the script with Paddington 2 writer Simon Farnaby, the film recently began filming in England.

Timothée Chalamet (The King, Call Me By Your Name) is starring as the young Willy Wonka in his pre-Chocolate Factory days.

Wonka will be a musical, with Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy providing brand new songs.

The official synopsis reveals that the story will explore the “vivid, mythical beginnings of the imaginative young inventor before he becomes the renowned scrumdiddlyumptious Mozart of chocolate.”

Alongside Chalamet as Wonka are an incredible ensemble of stars, including Olivia Colman (The Crown), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey), Sally Hawkins (Paddington), Matt Lucas (Doctor Who), and Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean).

They’ll be joined by Mathew Baynton (Ghosts), Tom Davis (Paddington 2), Simon Farnaby (Paddington), Rich Fulcher (Marriage Story), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Paddington 2), Paterson Joseph (Vigil), Keegan-Michael Key (Schmigadoon!), Calah Lane (The Day Shall Come), Colin O’Brien (The Mothership), Natasha Rothwell (The White Lotus), Rakhee Thakrar (Sex Education), and Ellie White (The Other One).

Harry Potter franchise producer David Heyman is producing the movie.

Wonka will be released in cinemas on 17th March 2023.

Jim Carter will reprise his role as Mr Carson in the follow-up to 2019’s Downton Abbey film.

It was recently revealed when the third Paddington movie will start filming!

Downton star Hugh Bonneville has confirmed that he’ll be returning in the new Paddington sequel.

Paddington is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.