‘Wonka’ trailer arrives from the makers of ‘Paddington’
The first trailer for Wonka is here and it looks absolutely magical!
Based on the character from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the new movie comes from the makers of Paddington and Harry Potter.
Leading the cast as the young Willy Wonka in his pre-Chocolate Factory days is Timothée Chalamet from The King and Dune.
He’s joined by an amazing line-up for British stars, including Jim Carter (Downton Abbey), Olivia Colman (The Crown), Sally Hawkins (The Lost King), Matt Lucas (Doctor Who), and Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean).
Also appearing are Mathew Baynton (Ghosts), Tom Davis (Paddington 2), Paterson Joseph (Vigil), Rakhee Thakrar (Sex Education), and Ellie White (The Other One).
Wonka tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
We’re promised “an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humour.”
Watch the trailer here:
Filming began in England in the autumn of 2021, directed by Paul King (Paddington), who co-wrote the script with Paddington 2 writer Simon Farnaby (Horrible Histories).
We weren’t entirely sold on the idea of a Willy Wonka prequel when it was first announced, but the incredible ensemble cast they’ve assembled and this charming trailer have won us over.
And yes, you really did spot Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa at the end of the trailer!
The official synopsis reads: “This irresistibly vivid and inventive big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time—proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.”
We don’t hear anyone singing in the trailer, but the movie also features original songs written for the film by Neil Hannon from the band The Divine Comedy.
Based on the brief glimpses of some big dance sequences, it looks like this will follow Gene Wilder’s beloved 1970s movie as a full-blown musical.
When’s the release date?
Wonka opens in cinemas and in IMAX internationally this Christmas season.
It’ll be released in the UK and North America on Friday 15 December, with dates elsewhere set to be announced soon.
The third Paddington movie recently began filming, with Olivia Colman (The Crown), Antonio Banderas (Spy Kids), and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) joining the returning cast!
Paddington in Peru is expected to arrive in cinemas in 2024.
The story finds Paddington and the Brown Family embarking on an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book is available on Amazon.