The first trailer and photographs from Wonka, Timothée Chalamet’s musical prequel to 1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, have been released.
As predicted, it promises big production numbers, brilliant colours, a little crazy leading man (he has to follow in the footsteps of Gene Wilder, after all), and a lot of confectionery.
The highly anticipated video provides a first look at Timothée’s take on the legendary figure, as he battles to create a chocolate store while a ‘cartell’ of chocolatiers tries to shut him down.
Wonka looks like an enormous joy, filled with dance routines, brilliant colours, and hilarious one-liners from Timothée, with the chocolatier sending people soaring into the air – literally – with one of his magical hover-chocolates.
What has piqued fans’ interest, even their (pure) imagination, is the first look at Hugh Grant as a 20-inch tall Oompa Loompa.
Grant’s character is orange-skinned, with coiffured green hair and white brows, same like in the original picture.
The Bafta-winning actor, 62, looks equally charming and little creepy in a purple tweed suit with bloomers and matching pointy-toed pom-pom-adorned shoes.
This creepiness fades fast as he pompously declares that he is the appropriate height for an Oompa Loompa, then whips out a small flute and proceeds to dance.
People were dying to see Grant in another funny, irreverent picture after his brilliant performance as villain Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2, which was also directed and written by Wonka director and novelist Paul King.
‘Roles I never thought I’d see Hugh Grant playing. The man’s career path has become fascinating recently,’ observed one fan, while another added: ‘Hugh Grant’s silly little guy phase continues to deliver.’
‘Hugh Grant is definitely in his IDGAF era every decision this man makes is insane and I love it,’ shared another.
‘You had me at HUGH GRANT AS AN OOMPA LOOMPA,’ raved a different fan, while someone else admitted: ‘im sorry but im probably gonna watch that wonka movie only because hugh grant is credited as an oompa loompa and i need to see that.’
And as one person put it simply: ‘TINY HUGH GRANT YAAAAASSS.’
Fair enough!
Chalamet and Grant star alongside Olivia Colman, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson and Keegan-Michael Key.
Wonka is set for release in UK cinemas on December 15, 2023.
