Freddie Highmore decided to return to his Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character in a new spoof, however, the legendary factory was looking less like a chocolate wonderland and more like the failed fan experience.
During the actor’s recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he jokingly debuted the trailer for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Part Two, which sees Charlie Bucket giving two children a tour of the candy factory that he got from Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka in the 2005 movie.
“Hello, children! My name is Charlie Bucket and welcome to my chocolate factory,” Highmore said as a greenscreen behind him fell down, revealing a sparsely decorated building that resembled the now-infamous Willy Wonka-themed immersive experience in the U.K. that reportedly left children in tears. “Pretty sweet, huh?” the actor added in the clip.
As Highmore continued the tour with the children, they eventually encountered an...
During the actor’s recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he jokingly debuted the trailer for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Part Two, which sees Charlie Bucket giving two children a tour of the candy factory that he got from Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka in the 2005 movie.
“Hello, children! My name is Charlie Bucket and welcome to my chocolate factory,” Highmore said as a greenscreen behind him fell down, revealing a sparsely decorated building that resembled the now-infamous Willy Wonka-themed immersive experience in the U.K. that reportedly left children in tears. “Pretty sweet, huh?” the actor added in the clip.
As Highmore continued the tour with the children, they eventually encountered an...
- 4/10/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In his feature directorial debut, actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld also stars in an upcoming comedy movie titled Unfrosted: The Pop Tart Story, based on a screenplay he co-wrote with a team of writers. His team of writers included Spike Feresten, Barry Marder, and Andy Robin. The movie stars Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, James Marsden, Hugh Grant, Dan Levy, and more, in addition to Seinfeld leading the cast.
The movie, which is scheduled to make its debut on Netflix in May, is loosely based on the true story of the creation of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries. The actor-comedian reportedly deconstructed his Pop Tart stand-up bit from his last Netflix special, 23 Hours to Kill, and explored it into a giant comedy movie. The debutant director talks about casting Hugh Grant in the movie.
Hugh Grant in Dungeons and Dragons
Jerry Seinfeld talks about British actor Hugh Grant’s casting as...
The movie, which is scheduled to make its debut on Netflix in May, is loosely based on the true story of the creation of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries. The actor-comedian reportedly deconstructed his Pop Tart stand-up bit from his last Netflix special, 23 Hours to Kill, and explored it into a giant comedy movie. The debutant director talks about casting Hugh Grant in the movie.
Hugh Grant in Dungeons and Dragons
Jerry Seinfeld talks about British actor Hugh Grant’s casting as...
- 4/10/2024
- by Avneet Ahluwalia
- FandomWire
Renée Zellweger (Judy) has closed a deal to reprise the role that brought her her first Oscar nomination in Universal Pictures and Working Title’s Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Deadline has learned.
Others set to return in the film, from director Michael Morris (To Leslie), include Hugh Grant (Wonka) and Emma Thompson. Newcomers to the cast will include Chiwetel Ejiofor (Rob Peace) and Leo Woodall (The White Lotus).
Based on the beloved novels from Helen Fielding, and a previous column she wrote as the title character for The Independent, the rom-com franchise Bridget Jones centers on Zellweger’s endearing yet perpetually single character of the same name, examining her relationships with the dashing Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), and the roguish Daniel Cleaver (Grant), among others. The original film adaptation, Bridget Jones’s Diary, was released in 2001, with follow-ups Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason...
Others set to return in the film, from director Michael Morris (To Leslie), include Hugh Grant (Wonka) and Emma Thompson. Newcomers to the cast will include Chiwetel Ejiofor (Rob Peace) and Leo Woodall (The White Lotus).
Based on the beloved novels from Helen Fielding, and a previous column she wrote as the title character for The Independent, the rom-com franchise Bridget Jones centers on Zellweger’s endearing yet perpetually single character of the same name, examining her relationships with the dashing Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), and the roguish Daniel Cleaver (Grant), among others. The original film adaptation, Bridget Jones’s Diary, was released in 2001, with follow-ups Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason...
- 4/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bridget Jones is heading back to the screen.
After months of quiet chess pieces moves, Universal Pictures and Working Title have finally put in place the talent for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, the fourth installment of the British-based romantic film comedy series.
Renée Zellweger is set to return as the lovable but flailing at life Jones as is Hugh Grant as rapscallion Daniel Cleaver. Emma Thompson, who appeared in the 2016 entry, Bridget Jones’s Baby, is back as well while newcomers include Chiwetel Ejiofor and up-and-comer Leo Woodall, best known for his work in White Lotus season 2.
Michael Morris, who helmed the Andrea Riseborough drama To Leslie, will be sitting in the director’s chair when cameras roll for the feature, which adapts the best-selling 2013 novel by Jones creator Helen Fielding. Fielding also wrote the script.
Readers and audiences have seen Jones have love triangles, find romance and even have a baby,...
After months of quiet chess pieces moves, Universal Pictures and Working Title have finally put in place the talent for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, the fourth installment of the British-based romantic film comedy series.
Renée Zellweger is set to return as the lovable but flailing at life Jones as is Hugh Grant as rapscallion Daniel Cleaver. Emma Thompson, who appeared in the 2016 entry, Bridget Jones’s Baby, is back as well while newcomers include Chiwetel Ejiofor and up-and-comer Leo Woodall, best known for his work in White Lotus season 2.
Michael Morris, who helmed the Andrea Riseborough drama To Leslie, will be sitting in the director’s chair when cameras roll for the feature, which adapts the best-selling 2013 novel by Jones creator Helen Fielding. Fielding also wrote the script.
Readers and audiences have seen Jones have love triangles, find romance and even have a baby,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While The Kardashians star, Kris Jenner, is often tweaking her looks, now fans think it may be damaging her. Previously, fans noticed her nostril showing the effects, but now they see more issues. In a recent video, fans pick up on Kris’ face appearing to be melting off.
Kris Jenner Joins In A Fun Easter Clip
In a fun Easter TikTok video, Kris Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, and North West dance like oompa loompas from Wonka. With the caption: “Happy Easter Jesus loves you,” with chicks and crosses in the heading. Unmistakably, Kim looks stunning in a snug white Easter dress. Additionally, North is changing quickly, looking more grown up with each sighting. Likewise, North is seemingly wearing light makeup with a floral jean jacket and a straight knee-length skirt. Although North is currently ten years old, she is sprinting toward her tween years. Furthermore, Kris’ lavender dress with bell sleeves...
Kris Jenner Joins In A Fun Easter Clip
In a fun Easter TikTok video, Kris Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, and North West dance like oompa loompas from Wonka. With the caption: “Happy Easter Jesus loves you,” with chicks and crosses in the heading. Unmistakably, Kim looks stunning in a snug white Easter dress. Additionally, North is changing quickly, looking more grown up with each sighting. Likewise, North is seemingly wearing light makeup with a floral jean jacket and a straight knee-length skirt. Although North is currently ten years old, she is sprinting toward her tween years. Furthermore, Kris’ lavender dress with bell sleeves...
- 4/3/2024
- by Bonnie Kaiser-Gambill
- TV Shows Ace
After the smashing success of Dune: Part Two, Timotheé Chalamet wishes to reunite with his co-star Austin Butler for his upcoming project. Chalamet expressed his views for Austin Butler to reprise his role as Elvis Presley for his upcoming Bob Dylan biopic.
During an interview, both the actors shared their experience of bringing iconic musical figures to life. Timotheé Chalamet remarked that he would love to have Butler’s Elvis appear in his upcoming Bob Dylan biopic, creating a shared musical cinematic universe.
MCU – Musical Cinematic Universe
Timotheé Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen | Source: Dune: Part Two
Timotheé Chalamet, in a recent interview, stated that he took some pointers from Austin Butler during their shoot on Dune to get into the skin of musical icons. While Butler shared his excitement for Bob Dylan’s biopic, titled A Complete Unknown, he stated that he wished he...
During an interview, both the actors shared their experience of bringing iconic musical figures to life. Timotheé Chalamet remarked that he would love to have Butler’s Elvis appear in his upcoming Bob Dylan biopic, creating a shared musical cinematic universe.
MCU – Musical Cinematic Universe
Timotheé Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen | Source: Dune: Part Two
Timotheé Chalamet, in a recent interview, stated that he took some pointers from Austin Butler during their shoot on Dune to get into the skin of musical icons. While Butler shared his excitement for Bob Dylan’s biopic, titled A Complete Unknown, he stated that he wished he...
- 3/20/2024
- by Akhil Bhagwani
- FandomWire
Are you a fan of Willy Wonka? That seems unimportant if you were at a Willy Wonka-themed event in Glasgow. The event turned out to be so dire, so terrifying, and so extremely unsettling that the attendees actually called the police.
Last month, Glasgow, Scotland, hosted an unlicensed event called Willy’s Chocolate Experience, which was based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The objective of this event was to provide an ‘immersion experience’ into the world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. It was promoted with AI images and advertisements that promised an ‘enchanted’ day at the Candy Man’s factory.
Photos taken by frustrated attendees at Willy’s Chocolate Experience held in Glasgow, Scotland
Ultimately, as we now know, it turned out to be something seriously disappointing. Families shelled out more than $40 for a ticket to explore a warehouse full of cheaply decorated sets, actors who looked disheveled,...
Last month, Glasgow, Scotland, hosted an unlicensed event called Willy’s Chocolate Experience, which was based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The objective of this event was to provide an ‘immersion experience’ into the world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. It was promoted with AI images and advertisements that promised an ‘enchanted’ day at the Candy Man’s factory.
Photos taken by frustrated attendees at Willy’s Chocolate Experience held in Glasgow, Scotland
Ultimately, as we now know, it turned out to be something seriously disappointing. Families shelled out more than $40 for a ticket to explore a warehouse full of cheaply decorated sets, actors who looked disheveled,...
- 3/20/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
When the internet spent the better part of a week in February roasting a Willy Wonka-themed family event in Glasgow gone wrong, there was a lot to laugh about: the mostly undecorated warehouse venue, the AI-generated advertising, the lack of chocolate, and, of course, the sad Oompa Loompa.
The local actors hired to improvise based off a garbled script (also written by AI) wound up dishing on the disaster in interviews, and some have since leveraged their viral fame: that Oompa Loompa (real name Kristy Paterson) is selling Cameo greetings,...
The local actors hired to improvise based off a garbled script (also written by AI) wound up dishing on the disaster in interviews, and some have since leveraged their viral fame: that Oompa Loompa (real name Kristy Paterson) is selling Cameo greetings,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
As Timothée Chalamet‘s Wonka promo took over everyone’s news feeds in December, so did Jagwar Twin’s song “Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)” on TikTok.
On Friday, the rock star revisited the single, as he released the circus-themed music video for the viral track, which sees the artist inside a Salvador Dalí-inspired circus world as he conveys his message of “trusting your internal compass.”
“The video plays on the theme of trusting your intuition with it being set in this strange Dalí-esque circus that, to me, is often...
On Friday, the rock star revisited the single, as he released the circus-themed music video for the viral track, which sees the artist inside a Salvador Dalí-inspired circus world as he conveys his message of “trusting your internal compass.”
“The video plays on the theme of trusting your intuition with it being set in this strange Dalí-esque circus that, to me, is often...
- 3/8/2024
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
You could never accuse Hugh Grant of playing it safe. In recent years, he’s taken all kinds of unexpected roles – most recently appearing as an Oompa Loompa in Paul King’s Wonka. Prior to that, their team-up on Paddington 2 resulted in the instantly iconic ham-tastic villain Phoenix Buchanan. He’s gone toe-to-toe with bards and bird-people in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, geezered it up with Guy Ritchie on The Gentlemen – and never forget his time as a future-world cannibal in Cloud Atlas. Now, Grant is taking on a role that few will have seen coming: in Unfrosted – Jerry Seinfeld’s upcoming comedy about the invention of beloved toaster-pastry the Pop-Tart – he’ll be none other than… Tony The Tiger.
Or, at least, the disgruntled Shakespearean actor who, much to his chagrin, finds himself having to don the Tony The Tiger outfit. “That was the greatest part of the whole thing,...
Or, at least, the disgruntled Shakespearean actor who, much to his chagrin, finds himself having to don the Tony The Tiger outfit. “That was the greatest part of the whole thing,...
- 3/8/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
“Willy’s Chocolate Experience” was advertised as an “immersive” event for guests. Families came with their children, ready to have fun at the event based on Ronald Dahl’s book, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Hosted by the House of Illuminati in Glasgow, Scotland, guests expected a fantastical experience that would “create lasting memories.”
However, it was anything but that. Guests arrived at a relatively empty warehouse with a few props and backdrops, nothing like the images advertised online. It was later revealed that the images, showing a whimsical, colorful show, were AI-generated.
Photos from the event quickly circulated on social media. Actors and performers hired for the event also shared their confusion in videos posted to TikTok. The event angered parents, many of whom called the police.
Actors were given a script before the event. One actress, Jenny Fogarty, was given a “sexy” Oompa Loompa costume for her...
Hosted by the House of Illuminati in Glasgow, Scotland, guests expected a fantastical experience that would “create lasting memories.”
However, it was anything but that. Guests arrived at a relatively empty warehouse with a few props and backdrops, nothing like the images advertised online. It was later revealed that the images, showing a whimsical, colorful show, were AI-generated.
Photos from the event quickly circulated on social media. Actors and performers hired for the event also shared their confusion in videos posted to TikTok. The event angered parents, many of whom called the police.
Actors were given a script before the event. One actress, Jenny Fogarty, was given a “sexy” Oompa Loompa costume for her...
- 3/5/2024
- by Ann Hoang
- Uinterview
Ever since people saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it has been somewhat of a dream to visit Willy Wonka’s incredible, yet fictional, chocolate factory. How much fun it would’ve been to get to eat the candy growing on trees, to take a boat ride in the chocolate river, and to try the gum that tastes like a three-course meal? Well, maybe not the last one.
Either way, Willy Wonka’s factory was a dream place for many kids, and may we add, many adults as well!
A still from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Recently, fans had the opportunity to witness the magic of Willy Wonka’s work through the event titled, ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience,’ or the ‘Willy Wonka Experience.’ Unfortunately, the event turned out to be as underwhelming as rain or a beach day. Luckily, some were able to see the humor in the disaster,...
Either way, Willy Wonka’s factory was a dream place for many kids, and may we add, many adults as well!
A still from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Recently, fans had the opportunity to witness the magic of Willy Wonka’s work through the event titled, ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience,’ or the ‘Willy Wonka Experience.’ Unfortunately, the event turned out to be as underwhelming as rain or a beach day. Luckily, some were able to see the humor in the disaster,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Mishkaat Khan
- FandomWire
“Saturday Night Live” host Sydney Sweeney and cast member Chloe Troast were the nation’s No. 1 interior designers for Airbnbs in one of the final skits on Saturday. The pair rolled out all the clichés that Airbnb guests have experienced, from hard-to-operate locks to bland words used as artwork on walls.
“Bland. Generic. Downright uninviting. If these are the vibes you’re going for, then we’re your girls [Chanel and Channel],” they announced. “Together, we can make your rentals pop with plain furniture and art for nobody.”
“Why stay in a hotel when for basically the same amount of money you can stay in a place with worse sheets and a camera in the toilet?” Troast asked.
“Just listen to one of our satisfied customers,” Sweeney said after the two decorators showed some sample lodgings.
“You may know our work from cozy casita steps from Lax,” they said with...
“Bland. Generic. Downright uninviting. If these are the vibes you’re going for, then we’re your girls [Chanel and Channel],” they announced. “Together, we can make your rentals pop with plain furniture and art for nobody.”
“Why stay in a hotel when for basically the same amount of money you can stay in a place with worse sheets and a camera in the toilet?” Troast asked.
“Just listen to one of our satisfied customers,” Sweeney said after the two decorators showed some sample lodgings.
“You may know our work from cozy casita steps from Lax,” they said with...
- 3/3/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
The biggest event disaster since the Fyre Festival concert fiasco has drawn a second apology from its promoters.
The director of the disastrous Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, Billy Coull, posted a lengthy explanation of what went wrong on Facebook.
The event, billed as “Willy’s Chocolate Experience,” promised attendees chocolate fountains, performances by Oompa Loompas, and “a celebration of chocolate in all its delightful forms.”
Instead, they received a sparsely decorated warehouse featuring two women with green wigs playing the Oompa Loompas, and actor Paul Connell, whose red hair and beard made him less Willy Wonka and self-admittedly more like an Oompa Loompa.
The resultant uproar from attendees made worldwide news, and has spawned a cottage industry of related memes.
Shortly after word emerged on the disaster, House of Illuminati issued a brief statement.
“Unfortunately, last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried...
The director of the disastrous Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, Billy Coull, posted a lengthy explanation of what went wrong on Facebook.
The event, billed as “Willy’s Chocolate Experience,” promised attendees chocolate fountains, performances by Oompa Loompas, and “a celebration of chocolate in all its delightful forms.”
Instead, they received a sparsely decorated warehouse featuring two women with green wigs playing the Oompa Loompas, and actor Paul Connell, whose red hair and beard made him less Willy Wonka and self-admittedly more like an Oompa Loompa.
The resultant uproar from attendees made worldwide news, and has spawned a cottage industry of related memes.
Shortly after word emerged on the disaster, House of Illuminati issued a brief statement.
“Unfortunately, last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried...
- 3/2/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Willy Wonka fans who paid $45 to relive the magical world of Roald Dahl were left in complete disappointment and their faces looked just like the viral Oompa Loompa actress from the event. ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience’ held in Glasgow, Scotland, was a complete disaster and the organizers, the House of Illuminati, are currently busy making apologies and refunds. Meanwhile, the Oompa Loompa actress who went viral opens up about why she chose the gig in the first place.
Photos taken by frustrated attendees at Willy’s Chocolate Experience held in Glasgow, Scotland
Actress Kirsty Paterson revealed that it was the first time in her acting career that she had applied to a gig via Indeed and landed the role. From one of her photos during the event, fans were almost convinced that she was in a meth lab setting rather than that of a chocolate factory.
Oompa Loompa Actress Reveals...
Photos taken by frustrated attendees at Willy’s Chocolate Experience held in Glasgow, Scotland
Actress Kirsty Paterson revealed that it was the first time in her acting career that she had applied to a gig via Indeed and landed the role. From one of her photos during the event, fans were almost convinced that she was in a meth lab setting rather than that of a chocolate factory.
Oompa Loompa Actress Reveals...
- 2/29/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, recently took part in an event that was far from his usual world of extraordinary treats.
The ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience’ that started on Feb. 24 in Glasgow, Scotland, has been called off. This event was tied to the release of the new movie Wonka.
Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in 2023’s Wonka
Children dressed as Willy Wonka characters were let down when they attended the event that promised a fun day but didn’t deliver. The promising chocolate-filled wonderland turned out to be unprofessional, leaving both the kids and their parents upset.
Guardians demanded for refund of the £35 ($44) they had shelled out for those disappointing tickets. Adding to the disappointment, attendees were met with a sad-looking Oompa Loompa, which didn’t sit well with fans.
Even after more than five days, fans are unwilling to forget about the Willy...
The ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience’ that started on Feb. 24 in Glasgow, Scotland, has been called off. This event was tied to the release of the new movie Wonka.
Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in 2023’s Wonka
Children dressed as Willy Wonka characters were let down when they attended the event that promised a fun day but didn’t deliver. The promising chocolate-filled wonderland turned out to be unprofessional, leaving both the kids and their parents upset.
Guardians demanded for refund of the £35 ($44) they had shelled out for those disappointing tickets. Adding to the disappointment, attendees were met with a sad-looking Oompa Loompa, which didn’t sit well with fans.
Even after more than five days, fans are unwilling to forget about the Willy...
- 2/29/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
How did you like the chocolate factory, Charlie? Instead of the most wonderful place in the whole world, angry customers and event participants from a botched “Wonka World” immersive experience held this weekend in Glasgow, Scotland, are angry and seeking a refund.
Today, a cast member from the show took to social media to explain his role in the fiasco and apologize for his part in it. Paul Connell admitted the attendees wanted Timothée Chalamet and instead got Timothée Charlatan.
Connell said he was given the Wonka role just days earlier and handed a “gibberish” script and told to “do whatever you want.”
Connell told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland program: “It was very disappointing to see how many people turned up at this event and found basically me dressed up as Willy Wonka in a half-abandoned warehouse.”
The event, billed as “Willy’s Chocolate Experience,” promised attendees chocolate fountains,...
Today, a cast member from the show took to social media to explain his role in the fiasco and apologize for his part in it. Paul Connell admitted the attendees wanted Timothée Chalamet and instead got Timothée Charlatan.
Connell said he was given the Wonka role just days earlier and handed a “gibberish” script and told to “do whatever you want.”
Connell told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland program: “It was very disappointing to see how many people turned up at this event and found basically me dressed up as Willy Wonka in a half-abandoned warehouse.”
The event, billed as “Willy’s Chocolate Experience,” promised attendees chocolate fountains,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
A Willy Wonka event in Glasgow, Scotland was reported to the police after angry attendees called it a scam. Entitled Willy’s Chocolate Experience and hosted by the House of Illuminati, the show promised an immersive, interactive, and spectacular experience inside the famed chocolate factory. For $45 per ticket, all they got was a five-minute walkthrough in a seemingly old abandoned warehouse.
Timothée Chalamet in Wonka
The scandal got even more absurd after the actor hired by the House of Illuminati to play Willy Wonka broke his silence on social media.
SUGGESTEDWhy Did Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Never Get a Sequel? Willy Wonka Actor Speaks Out About Catastrophic Glasgow Event
Paul Connell shared his side of the story regarding the disastrous Willy Wonka show in Scotland. In a TikTok video, the comedian exposed everything (via Twitter):
“The first red flag for me was when I was cast as Willy Wonka.
Timothée Chalamet in Wonka
The scandal got even more absurd after the actor hired by the House of Illuminati to play Willy Wonka broke his silence on social media.
SUGGESTEDWhy Did Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Never Get a Sequel? Willy Wonka Actor Speaks Out About Catastrophic Glasgow Event
Paul Connell shared his side of the story regarding the disastrous Willy Wonka show in Scotland. In a TikTok video, the comedian exposed everything (via Twitter):
“The first red flag for me was when I was cast as Willy Wonka.
- 2/28/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
An “immersive experience” that promised to transport Willy Wonka fans into a “magical realm” has turned out to be such an epic letdown that customers called the police and compared the attraction to a meth lab.
The U.K. event was titled Willy’s Chocolate Experience and charged customers $44 each (photos below). The attraction was not affiliated with the Warner Bros. movie Wonka, though the event’s marketing came as close as possible to suggesting it was based on author Roald Dahl’s creation. The ad copy invited fans to journey to “a universe where confectionary dreams are brought to life” that included “mind-expanding projections, optical marvels and exhibits that transport you into the realm of creativity” and “wondrous creations and enchanting surprises at every turn!”
The event organizers apparently used artificial intelligence to generate promotional images that suggested a very high-quality attraction, which looked just like the immersive and...
The U.K. event was titled Willy’s Chocolate Experience and charged customers $44 each (photos below). The attraction was not affiliated with the Warner Bros. movie Wonka, though the event’s marketing came as close as possible to suggesting it was based on author Roald Dahl’s creation. The ad copy invited fans to journey to “a universe where confectionary dreams are brought to life” that included “mind-expanding projections, optical marvels and exhibits that transport you into the realm of creativity” and “wondrous creations and enchanting surprises at every turn!”
The event organizers apparently used artificial intelligence to generate promotional images that suggested a very high-quality attraction, which looked just like the immersive and...
- 2/27/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When & Where Is Wonka Releasing On Ott. ( Photo Credit – Instagram )
Timothee Chalamet and Paul King’s musical fantasy Wonka is finally coming on the Ott platforms! The film has done tremendous business at the box office, and it is now set to rule the streaming space and be available for everyone to watch. The film is about the life of Willy Wonka before the events of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Keep scrolling for more.
In 2021, Timothee was announced to be the next Willy Wonka. Besides him, there are some heavy-weight actors in this fantasy musical by Paul King, including Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Grant. The senior actor openly spoke about how much he disliked portraying the character of Oompa Loompa in the movie because of the motion-capture work. In an interview, he jokingly admitted that since he has a lot of mouths to feed, he took up the role for money.
Timothee Chalamet and Paul King’s musical fantasy Wonka is finally coming on the Ott platforms! The film has done tremendous business at the box office, and it is now set to rule the streaming space and be available for everyone to watch. The film is about the life of Willy Wonka before the events of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Keep scrolling for more.
In 2021, Timothee was announced to be the next Willy Wonka. Besides him, there are some heavy-weight actors in this fantasy musical by Paul King, including Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Grant. The senior actor openly spoke about how much he disliked portraying the character of Oompa Loompa in the movie because of the motion-capture work. In an interview, he jokingly admitted that since he has a lot of mouths to feed, he took up the role for money.
- 2/25/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Hugh Grant channeled his inner Oompa Loompa at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday night, where the “Wonka” actor was on hand to present the award for best director.
After taking the stage, Grant dryly recited a spoken-word version of his character’s song: “Oompa Loompa doompety dee/ now the best director category. Oompa Loompa doompety dong/ Most of these films were frankly too long. Oompa Loompa doompety dah/ But for some reason the nominees are…”
Grant then revealed the nominees: Andrew Haigh for “All of Us Strangers,” Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall,” Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers,” Bradley Cooper for “Maestro,” Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer” and Jonathan Glazer for “The Zone of Interest.”
The award ended up going to Nolan, who used his speech to recognize the organizations who have “fought long and hard to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world.”
“In accepting this I...
After taking the stage, Grant dryly recited a spoken-word version of his character’s song: “Oompa Loompa doompety dee/ now the best director category. Oompa Loompa doompety dong/ Most of these films were frankly too long. Oompa Loompa doompety dah/ But for some reason the nominees are…”
Grant then revealed the nominees: Andrew Haigh for “All of Us Strangers,” Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall,” Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers,” Bradley Cooper for “Maestro,” Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer” and Jonathan Glazer for “The Zone of Interest.”
The award ended up going to Nolan, who used his speech to recognize the organizations who have “fought long and hard to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world.”
“In accepting this I...
- 2/18/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
The Creator and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse have earned seven nominations apiece for the upcoming 22nd Annual Ves Awards in Los Angeles.
Nominees in 25 categories (including TV and commercials which are not included in this report) were selected by Visual Effects Society members at 39 in-person and virtual nomination events conducted worldwide over a 36-hour continuous process.
The nominations protocol included a review of each awards submission including “Befores and Afters” by a minimum of three different judging panels. Participating Ves members on the panels represented 25 countries.
The winners will be announced at the ceremony on February 21 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Nominees in 25 categories (including TV and commercials which are not included in this report) were selected by Visual Effects Society members at 39 in-person and virtual nomination events conducted worldwide over a 36-hour continuous process.
The nominations protocol included a review of each awards submission including “Befores and Afters” by a minimum of three different judging panels. Participating Ves members on the panels represented 25 countries.
The winners will be announced at the ceremony on February 21 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
- 1/16/2024
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
He sings and he dances! But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t work. Timothée Chalamet had a three-month dance boot camp to prepare for “Wonka” — but luckily veteran choreographer Christopher Gattelli was there to guide him.
“The first lesson I had with him was actually in May of 2021. He was shooting ‘Bones and All’ at the time, and he came in with like this shocking red magenta hair and like super, super skinny Timmy and I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s not what I was expecting.'” But Gattelli pointed out that with Chalamet’s famous background at Laguardia High School, it wasn’t like starting from scratch. “And he has really great rhythm, so it wasn’t hard for him to pick it up.”
“Boot camp” sounds like Gattelli turned into the kind of strict dance instructor who terrifies his students, when in reality he’s warm and quick to laugh,...
“The first lesson I had with him was actually in May of 2021. He was shooting ‘Bones and All’ at the time, and he came in with like this shocking red magenta hair and like super, super skinny Timmy and I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s not what I was expecting.'” But Gattelli pointed out that with Chalamet’s famous background at Laguardia High School, it wasn’t like starting from scratch. “And he has really great rhythm, so it wasn’t hard for him to pick it up.”
“Boot camp” sounds like Gattelli turned into the kind of strict dance instructor who terrifies his students, when in reality he’s warm and quick to laugh,...
- 12/22/2023
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
Plot: The origins of young Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet), who arrives in a city known for its chocolate with the dream of becoming a master chocolatier.
Review: I’ll admit something – I wasn’t all that keen on watching Wonka. While I have a soft spot for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, mainly due to Gene Wilder’s terrific performance in the lead, an origin story starring Timothee Chalamet seemed a touch too whimsical. Yet, the film inarguably has an ace up its sleeve in director Paul King, who proved with the first two Paddington films that he’s a master of so-called whimsy.
The film, which is a full-blown musical, really does cast a spell thanks mainly to the fact that Chalamet hits precisely the right note with his Willy Wonka. He’s doing Gene Wilder here, with no trace of Johnny Depp’s performance from the Tim Burton...
Review: I’ll admit something – I wasn’t all that keen on watching Wonka. While I have a soft spot for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, mainly due to Gene Wilder’s terrific performance in the lead, an origin story starring Timothee Chalamet seemed a touch too whimsical. Yet, the film inarguably has an ace up its sleeve in director Paul King, who proved with the first two Paddington films that he’s a master of so-called whimsy.
The film, which is a full-blown musical, really does cast a spell thanks mainly to the fact that Chalamet hits precisely the right note with his Willy Wonka. He’s doing Gene Wilder here, with no trace of Johnny Depp’s performance from the Tim Burton...
- 12/15/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Clockwise from top left: Paddington 2 (Warner Bros.), Love Actually (Universal Pictures), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount Pictures), Notting Hill (Universal Pictures)Graphic: The A.V. Club
When you’ve been in the moviemaking business for as long as Hugh Grant has, you’ve earned the right to...
When you’ve been in the moviemaking business for as long as Hugh Grant has, you’ve earned the right to...
- 12/15/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
No one really asked for a prequel to "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" that focused on the origin of a future psychotic child murderer -- especially if it meant losing a third Paul King "Paddington" movie. Even fewer people could have predicted that "Wonka" would end up being a pretty great film. As our own Ethan Anderton wrote in this review, the film has a "well-thought-out story that doesn't even lean heavily on nostalgia or cheeky references to the classic film adaptation."
Indeed, the film is a riot. Paul King delivers a whimsical, colorful holiday film for the whole family that features a fantastic ensemble that steals every scene they're in, and there's a sense of whimsy that is reminiscent of King's "Paddington" movies. Timothée Chalamet finds the right balance between homaging Gene Wilder and doing his own weird little chocolate-loving psycho. There are even hints of some of...
Indeed, the film is a riot. Paul King delivers a whimsical, colorful holiday film for the whole family that features a fantastic ensemble that steals every scene they're in, and there's a sense of whimsy that is reminiscent of King's "Paddington" movies. Timothée Chalamet finds the right balance between homaging Gene Wilder and doing his own weird little chocolate-loving psycho. There are even hints of some of...
- 12/14/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
When was the last time that Warner Bros had a hefty trifecta at the Christmas box office?
Jason Momoa as Aquaman
No Oompa Loompa is set to jinx the David Zaslav-run Warner Bros Discovery over the holidays for by Christmas week, it’s conceivable that the studio will own the top three movies at the box office between DC’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Oprah Winfrey-Steven Spielberg produced feature musical The Color Purple, and Wonka, the latter which fires up this weekend in U.S. and Canada.
Outlook for the Timothée Chalamet starring musical is over/under $40M stateside at 4,150 theaters, with an additional $35M abroad inclusive of new markets which include France, Belgium, Holland, Australia, Nz, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. All in that’s $75M worldwide for this weekend. By Sunday, the Paul King directed, David Heyman produced musical will have a global...
Jason Momoa as Aquaman
No Oompa Loompa is set to jinx the David Zaslav-run Warner Bros Discovery over the holidays for by Christmas week, it’s conceivable that the studio will own the top three movies at the box office between DC’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Oprah Winfrey-Steven Spielberg produced feature musical The Color Purple, and Wonka, the latter which fires up this weekend in U.S. and Canada.
Outlook for the Timothée Chalamet starring musical is over/under $40M stateside at 4,150 theaters, with an additional $35M abroad inclusive of new markets which include France, Belgium, Holland, Australia, Nz, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. All in that’s $75M worldwide for this weekend. By Sunday, the Paul King directed, David Heyman produced musical will have a global...
- 12/13/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Hugh Grant is dishing on his career transition!
The 63-year-old actor will soon be seen in the Wonka movie musical, where he plays an Oompa Loompa.
While Hugh has done a slew of movies, he was well known for doing quite a few rom-coms, including Notting Hill, Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary and more, but you won’t be seeing him doing those types of films anymore.
Keep reading to find out more…
“I got too old and fat and ugly to do romantic comedies, obviously,” he said on The Drew Barrymore Show. “So I got offered more interesting things.”
However, with his age, Hugh says the work he has been getting as he gets older has been more fulfilling.
“I got a bit better,” the actor shared. “I got a little less bad after I had children, got married, got happier.”
Recently, Hugh joked about they types of...
The 63-year-old actor will soon be seen in the Wonka movie musical, where he plays an Oompa Loompa.
While Hugh has done a slew of movies, he was well known for doing quite a few rom-coms, including Notting Hill, Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary and more, but you won’t be seeing him doing those types of films anymore.
Keep reading to find out more…
“I got too old and fat and ugly to do romantic comedies, obviously,” he said on The Drew Barrymore Show. “So I got offered more interesting things.”
However, with his age, Hugh says the work he has been getting as he gets older has been more fulfilling.
“I got a bit better,” the actor shared. “I got a little less bad after I had children, got married, got happier.”
Recently, Hugh joked about they types of...
- 12/13/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
To celebrate the release of Wonka, which is now in UK cinemas and next week in the US, we had the pleasure of chatting with some cast and filmmakers about the magical new prequel to the 1971 classic.
We reviewed the film – and Loved it.
Based on the extraordinary character at the centre of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book is one of the best-selling children’s books ever. From Paul King, writer/director of the “Paddington” films comes an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, 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,...
We reviewed the film – and Loved it.
Based on the extraordinary character at the centre of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book is one of the best-selling children’s books ever. From Paul King, writer/director of the “Paddington” films comes an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, 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,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Scott Davis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Los Angeles, California – December 10: Hugh Grant attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Warner Bros. “Wonka” at Regency Village Theatre on December 10, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Warner Bros.) When Johnny Depp played Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, his portrayal was seen as polarizing, especially when compared to the late, great Gene Wilder’s definitive version in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The film Wonka, though, doesn’t mine the same territory the other two films did — instead, it is the origin story of a young Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamet. In a surprising bit of casting, Hugh Grant plays an Oompa Loompa, and he thinks people will be surprised and moved by this different look at the character. (Click on the media bar below to hear Hugh Grant) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hugh_Grant_Wonka_Audiences_.mp...
- 12/11/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Calah Lane as Noodle and TIMOTHÉE Chalamet as Willy Wonka in ‘Wonka (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)
The joyous strains of “Pure Imagination” lead into an equally joyous celebration of life – and chocolate – in Warner Bros Pictures’ Wonka. Movie fans could have had a one-two Timothée Chalamet punch if Dune 2 hadn’t been pulled from the theatrical release calendar. But for now, Chalamaniacs will have to settle for seeing the ever-charming actor light up the screen in the prequel to 1971’s Willa Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
Chalamet is no Gene Wilder, but then again, no one can fill Wilder’s shoes. Not even Johnny Depp came close in 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Still, comparisons aside, Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name) proved to be an excellent choice to play the overly optimistic chocolatier with huge dreams and an even bigger heart.
The film opens...
The joyous strains of “Pure Imagination” lead into an equally joyous celebration of life – and chocolate – in Warner Bros Pictures’ Wonka. Movie fans could have had a one-two Timothée Chalamet punch if Dune 2 hadn’t been pulled from the theatrical release calendar. But for now, Chalamaniacs will have to settle for seeing the ever-charming actor light up the screen in the prequel to 1971’s Willa Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
Chalamet is no Gene Wilder, but then again, no one can fill Wilder’s shoes. Not even Johnny Depp came close in 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Still, comparisons aside, Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name) proved to be an excellent choice to play the overly optimistic chocolatier with huge dreams and an even bigger heart.
The film opens...
- 12/10/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Hugh Grant was given a picture of a naked Oompa Loompa by ‘Wonka’ director Paul King.The ‘Four Weddings And a Funeral’ actor, 63, plays an 18-inch tall Oompa Loompa in the new ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ prequel, which arrived in cinemas on Friday. (08.12.23)Hugh told People about its maker playing a prank on him: “Paul, quite early on in the editing process, sent me a mock-up of the Oompa Loompa stark naked.“And my little children were a little alarmed at that.”When asked why Paul had sent the image, Hugh added it was “to amuse him”.Paul explained to People the film’s effects team were still figuring out “the colour of the skin and the way the hair works and on all the kind of details of it” and said at that stage of animation the Oompa Loompa “had no clothes”.But Paul, 45, admitted about the naked...
- 12/10/2023
- by BANG Showbiz Reporter
- Bang Showbiz
Paul King gifted us with two of the most charming movies of all time: Paddington and Paddington 2. The studio was keen to get the ball rolling on another sequel, so King was faced with the choice of signing on to direct Paddington 3 or try something new with Wonka. While speaking with THR, the director said that the choice wasn’t an easy one.
“It was really difficult, because I’d spent eight years with the bear and I felt such incredible love for him,” King said. “He’s an animated character, and the design and the love that went into every single follicle was labor intensive and done with such heart. So it’s kind of like sending your kid off to school and going, ‘I hope you’ll be okay!’ But I also know it was the right thing to do.“
Paul King added that “because there’s so much Paddington source material,...
“It was really difficult, because I’d spent eight years with the bear and I felt such incredible love for him,” King said. “He’s an animated character, and the design and the love that went into every single follicle was labor intensive and done with such heart. So it’s kind of like sending your kid off to school and going, ‘I hope you’ll be okay!’ But I also know it was the right thing to do.“
Paul King added that “because there’s so much Paddington source material,...
- 12/9/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Wonka: Johnny Depp’s Cameo Using Marvel’s Trick That’s Harming Them Would’ve Started A Franchise…(Photo Credit –IMDb)
Wonka is out just at the right time of the festive season, and Timothee Chalamet has just kicked it out of the park by playing the magical chocolatier with his trademarked charm. Yes, the second half did get a bit convenient and easy-flowing, but it’s a sweet little film overall. Did we miss Johnny Depp’s cameo in it? Yes! Would it have made sense? Maybe! How? Let’s figure it out together!
Yes, before the Willy Wonka fans started slamming saying this film wasn’t a prequel to Depp’s Charlie & Chocolate Factory (2005), but it served as a spiritual prequel to the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971), yes, we know that.
For those who are still confused about how that was – 2 things: Oompa Loompa’s Green Hair,...
Wonka is out just at the right time of the festive season, and Timothee Chalamet has just kicked it out of the park by playing the magical chocolatier with his trademarked charm. Yes, the second half did get a bit convenient and easy-flowing, but it’s a sweet little film overall. Did we miss Johnny Depp’s cameo in it? Yes! Would it have made sense? Maybe! How? Let’s figure it out together!
Yes, before the Willy Wonka fans started slamming saying this film wasn’t a prequel to Depp’s Charlie & Chocolate Factory (2005), but it served as a spiritual prequel to the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971), yes, we know that.
For those who are still confused about how that was – 2 things: Oompa Loompa’s Green Hair,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Umesh Punwani
- KoiMoi
Hollywood star Hugh Grant revealed that he “hated” playing an Oompa-Loompa as he opened up about his most recent film role.
The 63-year-old actor has played some versatile characters over the years but that hasn’t stopped him from being honest about certain opportunities.
In the new Wonka film, which is directed by Paddington’s Paul King, Grant plays the strange orange-faced creatures who aid Willy Wonka in running his precious chocolate factory.
Unlike the previous films based on the cherished children’s book by Roald Dahl, the upcoming release focuses solely on a young Wonka first discovering an Oompa-Loompa and his journey to befriend the creature.
It stars Timothée Chalamet as the eccentric chocolate maker, Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius, and Sally Hawkins as Willy Wonka’s mum.
In an interview, the Bridget Jones’s Diary actor looked back on his performance and said: “It was like a crown of thorns,...
The 63-year-old actor has played some versatile characters over the years but that hasn’t stopped him from being honest about certain opportunities.
In the new Wonka film, which is directed by Paddington’s Paul King, Grant plays the strange orange-faced creatures who aid Willy Wonka in running his precious chocolate factory.
Unlike the previous films based on the cherished children’s book by Roald Dahl, the upcoming release focuses solely on a young Wonka first discovering an Oompa-Loompa and his journey to befriend the creature.
It stars Timothée Chalamet as the eccentric chocolate maker, Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius, and Sally Hawkins as Willy Wonka’s mum.
In an interview, the Bridget Jones’s Diary actor looked back on his performance and said: “It was like a crown of thorns,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Hollywood star Hugh Grant revealed that he “hated” playing an Oompa-Loompa as he opened up about his most recent film role.
The 63-year-old actor has played some versatile characters over the years but that hasn’t stopped him from being honest about certain opportunities.
In the new Wonka film, which is directed by Paddington’s Paul King, Grant plays the strange orange-faced creatures who aid Willy Wonka in running his precious chocolate factory.
Unlike the previous films based on the cherished children’s book by Roald Dahl, the upcoming release focuses solely on a young Wonka first discovering an Oompa-Loompa and his journey to befriend the creature.
It stars Timothée Chalamet as the eccentric chocolate maker, Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius, and Sally Hawkins as Willy Wonka’s mum.
In an interview, the Bridget Jones’s Diary actor looked back on his performance and said: “It was like a crown of thorns,...
The 63-year-old actor has played some versatile characters over the years but that hasn’t stopped him from being honest about certain opportunities.
In the new Wonka film, which is directed by Paddington’s Paul King, Grant plays the strange orange-faced creatures who aid Willy Wonka in running his precious chocolate factory.
Unlike the previous films based on the cherished children’s book by Roald Dahl, the upcoming release focuses solely on a young Wonka first discovering an Oompa-Loompa and his journey to befriend the creature.
It stars Timothée Chalamet as the eccentric chocolate maker, Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius, and Sally Hawkins as Willy Wonka’s mum.
In an interview, the Bridget Jones’s Diary actor looked back on his performance and said: “It was like a crown of thorns,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Exclusive: production designer Nathan Crowley explains how his early work on Steven Spielberg’s Hook and Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula led to the practical sets of Wonka.
About the younger years of the magical confectioner Willy Wonka, director Paul King’s musical prequel Wonka is an ingenious fusion of cutting-edge CGI and traditional effects and props. A performance-captured Hugh Grant may play a particularly grumpy Oompa Loompa, but the film also takes in practical sets, location filming, and real props.
The town square that hosts at least one song-and-dance sequence is a huge, lavish set built at Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden; its nearby port was filmed on location in the UK’s picturesque Lyme Regis. The portable chocolate factory owned by Wonka himself (played by a fresh-faced Timothee Chalamet) was a real, mechanical prop, gently overlaid with a bit of VFX here and there. Even the chocolates were often edible,...
About the younger years of the magical confectioner Willy Wonka, director Paul King’s musical prequel Wonka is an ingenious fusion of cutting-edge CGI and traditional effects and props. A performance-captured Hugh Grant may play a particularly grumpy Oompa Loompa, but the film also takes in practical sets, location filming, and real props.
The town square that hosts at least one song-and-dance sequence is a huge, lavish set built at Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden; its nearby port was filmed on location in the UK’s picturesque Lyme Regis. The portable chocolate factory owned by Wonka himself (played by a fresh-faced Timothee Chalamet) was a real, mechanical prop, gently overlaid with a bit of VFX here and there. Even the chocolates were often edible,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
With Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel Wonka hitting theaters on December 15th, it won’t be long before audiences get a golden ticket to the highly-anticipated blockbuster starring Timothée Chalamet. The making of the confectionary flick wasn’t all sweet, though — at least not for Hugh Grant, who shared his discontentment this week about the shooting process for the film.
More specifically, Grant apparently took issue with the process of working with CGI motion capture to portray his role as Lofty, an Oompa Loompa. During a recent press conference (via Metro UK), Grant compared the cameras he had to wear to “a crown of thorns,” saying that he made a major fuss about the process. “I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more,” he lamented.
Grant explained that he did not know whether to act with just his face or with his entire body, adding, “I never received a satisfactory answer.
More specifically, Grant apparently took issue with the process of working with CGI motion capture to portray his role as Lofty, an Oompa Loompa. During a recent press conference (via Metro UK), Grant compared the cameras he had to wear to “a crown of thorns,” saying that he made a major fuss about the process. “I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more,” he lamented.
Grant explained that he did not know whether to act with just his face or with his entire body, adding, “I never received a satisfactory answer.
- 12/5/2023
- by Emma Carey
- Consequence - Film News
Joey King Once Went Candid About Reuniting With Ex-Boyfriend Jacob Elordi For The Kissing Booth 2!(Photo Credit –IMDb)
The Kissing Booth film series, starring Joey King and Jacob Elordi, has often been termed a cult classic by rom-com lovers. However, recently, Elordi discredited the franchise by saying he didn’t want to make those films. His criticism of the trilogy did not go down well with many Hollywood stars, including his co-star, King, who has now said that it’s unfortunate that anyone would feel that way.
Joey and Jacob starred as love interests in the Kissing Booth movies. The three-part film series ran from 2018 to 2021. The lead pair dated in real life from 2017 to 2018, and their whirlwind romance grabbed many eyeballs, with tabloids dubbing them as the new power couple of Hollywood. During the filming of the second film, the on-screen couple had already broken up off-screen, which...
The Kissing Booth film series, starring Joey King and Jacob Elordi, has often been termed a cult classic by rom-com lovers. However, recently, Elordi discredited the franchise by saying he didn’t want to make those films. His criticism of the trilogy did not go down well with many Hollywood stars, including his co-star, King, who has now said that it’s unfortunate that anyone would feel that way.
Joey and Jacob starred as love interests in the Kissing Booth movies. The three-part film series ran from 2018 to 2021. The lead pair dated in real life from 2017 to 2018, and their whirlwind romance grabbed many eyeballs, with tabloids dubbing them as the new power couple of Hollywood. During the filming of the second film, the on-screen couple had already broken up off-screen, which...
- 12/5/2023
- by Shivani Negi
- KoiMoi
The new prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka, is getting high praise. The musical is helmed by Paul King, who has been getting acclaim for his work on the Paddington movies. Our own Chris Bumbray enjoyed the film more than he initially thought he would in his review, “I think Wonka is a great family movie for the holidays. While some may mock it as twee, everyone involved has their hearts in the right place. The fact that something so boldly sentimental and sweet still gets made is remarkable in our cynical age, so I give Wonka a big recommendation for that alone.”
Among the wonder and the excitement of the film, Hugh Grant is somewhat bah-humbugging about his experience playing an Oompa Loompa. Grant is a newcomer to special effects acting, and his time with motion capture seems to have taken a toll on him. Grant told Metro.
Among the wonder and the excitement of the film, Hugh Grant is somewhat bah-humbugging about his experience playing an Oompa Loompa. Grant is a newcomer to special effects acting, and his time with motion capture seems to have taken a toll on him. Grant told Metro.
- 12/5/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Hugh Grant was on curmudgeonly form during a press conference marking the release of Wonka, telling journalists that he hated playing an Oompa Loompa in the film.
Grant, who is no stranger to grumpy outbursts, said he loathed the experience of shooting CGI scenes for the Warner Bros. genesis story of Roald Dahl’s beloved character.
He said creating his crotchety Oompa Loompa was like wearing a “crown of thorns” because of the camera rig around his head, according to a Metro.co.uk report.
“I made a big fuss about it,” Grant said. “I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more.” Asked if the ends justified the means, he replied: “Not really.”
Grant later joked that it was nothing personal against Wonka and director Paul King. “I slightly hate [making films] but I have lots of children and need money,” he said.
King has said Grant’s curmudgeonly qualities were...
Grant, who is no stranger to grumpy outbursts, said he loathed the experience of shooting CGI scenes for the Warner Bros. genesis story of Roald Dahl’s beloved character.
He said creating his crotchety Oompa Loompa was like wearing a “crown of thorns” because of the camera rig around his head, according to a Metro.co.uk report.
“I made a big fuss about it,” Grant said. “I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more.” Asked if the ends justified the means, he replied: “Not really.”
Grant later joked that it was nothing personal against Wonka and director Paul King. “I slightly hate [making films] but I have lots of children and need money,” he said.
King has said Grant’s curmudgeonly qualities were...
- 12/5/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Jonathan Majors Career Timeline In A Glimpse(Photo Credit –IMDb)
Jonathan Majors has gained much recognition for his role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He started his career on the small screen and is now associated with one of the highest-grossing studios. However, his professional life has taken a hit with the assault charges against him, and the trial is underway; let us look at his career timeline from When We Rise to Creed III and Loki 2.
The actor was born in California and studied at Duncanville High School. He was so inspired by Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, especially by Heath Ledger’s Joker, that he joined the theatres. He then went to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to get his bachelor’s degree and earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama in 2016.
Jonathan...
Jonathan Majors has gained much recognition for his role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He started his career on the small screen and is now associated with one of the highest-grossing studios. However, his professional life has taken a hit with the assault charges against him, and the trial is underway; let us look at his career timeline from When We Rise to Creed III and Loki 2.
The actor was born in California and studied at Duncanville High School. He was so inspired by Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, especially by Heath Ledger’s Joker, that he joined the theatres. He then went to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to get his bachelor’s degree and earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama in 2016.
Jonathan...
- 12/5/2023
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Timothée Chalomet in WonkaPhoto: Jaap Buittendijk/Warner Bros.
A year ago we couldn’t have said definitively whether Wonka would be a delightful musical extravaganza or a total disaster. Either outcome seemed plausible. After all, was anyone actually clamoring for yet another version of the mysterious, magical chocolatier from Roald Dahl’s beloved book series?...
A year ago we couldn’t have said definitively whether Wonka would be a delightful musical extravaganza or a total disaster. Either outcome seemed plausible. After all, was anyone actually clamoring for yet another version of the mysterious, magical chocolatier from Roald Dahl’s beloved book series?...
- 12/5/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Hugh Grant Goes Candid About Playing Oompa Loompa In Upcoming Film Wonka! ( Photo Credit – Instagram; IMDb )
Hollywood star Hugh Grant will soon be seen as Oompa Loompa in Paul King’s Wonka, which features American-French actor Timothee Chalamet in the titular role. The musical fantasy chronicles the origin story of candy maker Willy Wonka, a character who was first introduced in 1964 by Roald Dahl in the children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and has most famously been portrayed on-screen by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Johnny Depp in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). In the 1971 film starring Wilder, the factory had many workers with orange skin and green hair; Grant’s appearance takes inspiration from the same in the upcoming film.
Grant’s character in Wonka was filmed using too many cameras and other tools for animators to animate his movements, which, the 63-year-old said,...
Hollywood star Hugh Grant will soon be seen as Oompa Loompa in Paul King’s Wonka, which features American-French actor Timothee Chalamet in the titular role. The musical fantasy chronicles the origin story of candy maker Willy Wonka, a character who was first introduced in 1964 by Roald Dahl in the children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and has most famously been portrayed on-screen by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Johnny Depp in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). In the 1971 film starring Wilder, the factory had many workers with orange skin and green hair; Grant’s appearance takes inspiration from the same in the upcoming film.
Grant’s character in Wonka was filmed using too many cameras and other tools for animators to animate his movements, which, the 63-year-old said,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Shivani Negi
- KoiMoi
In his Paddington movies, Paul King folded animation and live action together into delightful all-ages adventures, selling a message of community and acceptance with spry wit and disarming sweetness, not to mention Ben Whishaw’s impeccable voice work, imbuing the gentle ursine protagonist with genuine heart. Depending on your appetite for sugary excess, you might embrace the director’s Wonka as more of the same. Or you might find the qualities that distinguished his previous hits get steamrolled here by strained whimsy, an aggressive charm that wears you down rather than lifts you up.
Mercifully, we’re a long way from the garish nightmare of Tim Burton’s 2005 film of the Roald Dahl novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Timothée Chalamet as the young Willy Wonka is nothing like Johnny Depp’s creepy take on the role. But Chalamet has two settings here — he’s either beaming with almost manic exuberance,...
Mercifully, we’re a long way from the garish nightmare of Tim Burton’s 2005 film of the Roald Dahl novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Timothée Chalamet as the young Willy Wonka is nothing like Johnny Depp’s creepy take on the role. But Chalamet has two settings here — he’s either beaming with almost manic exuberance,...
- 12/4/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Timothée Chalamet, Hugh GrantPhoto: Warner Bros.
The point of co-writer/director Paul King’s musically oriented origin story Wonka isn’t to answer the question of how a budding candy maker became the mercurial, withdrawn weirdo we met in the pages of Roald Dahl’s book Charlie And The Chocolate Factory...
The point of co-writer/director Paul King’s musically oriented origin story Wonka isn’t to answer the question of how a budding candy maker became the mercurial, withdrawn weirdo we met in the pages of Roald Dahl’s book Charlie And The Chocolate Factory...
- 12/4/2023
- by Courtney Howard
- avclub.com
You might not be able to tell it from the trailers but Wonka, the latest movie inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic 1964 children’s story “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is, make no mistake about it, a full-on movie musical that I found to be more in the tradition of ’60s-era films like Oliver, Dr. Dolittle, Albert Finney’s Scrooge — basically a throwback to that kind of feel-good musical confection designed to be released during the year’s end.
Unlike 1971’s beloved (but not a hit initially) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder, or Tim Burton’s darker 2005 take Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp, this version directed Paul King and co-written by King and Simon Farnaby is an origin story of how Willy Wonka came to be Wonka, the magician, inventor and chocolate maker extraordinaire. Both previous films certainly have their legions of fans,...
Unlike 1971’s beloved (but not a hit initially) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder, or Tim Burton’s darker 2005 take Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp, this version directed Paul King and co-written by King and Simon Farnaby is an origin story of how Willy Wonka came to be Wonka, the magician, inventor and chocolate maker extraordinaire. Both previous films certainly have their legions of fans,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood star Hugh Grant has revealed how he was asked to star in the film ‘Wonka’ and play the iconic character of Oompa Loompa. Grant said: “Paul and I were always in contact vaguely since ‘Paddington 2,’ and then I think he just emailed me one day and said he was doing ‘Wonka.’ He has been nuts about Roald Dahl since he was a kid, in exactly the same way that he was obsessed with Michael Bond and Paddington, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of his favorite books.
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Hollywood star Hugh Grant has revealed how he was asked to star in the film ‘Wonka’ and play the iconic character of Oompa Loompa. Grant said: “Paul and I were always in contact vaguely since ‘Paddington 2,’ and then I think he just emailed me one day and said he was doing ‘Wonka.’ He has been nuts about Roald Dahl since he was a kid, in exactly the same way that he was obsessed with Michael Bond and Paddington, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of his favorite books.
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Hugh Grant is opening up about how he landed his role playing an Oompa Loompa alongside Timothee Chalamet in the new movie Wonka.
Fans have been looking forward to a chance to see the 63-year-old actor play one of the distinctive characters since we first learned that he was involved in the movie earlier this year.
But how did he get cast? Hugh joked about booking the role during a recent interview and revealed where he was at in his career as a result.
Hugh Grant opened up about his role as an Oompa Loompa…
“This is what I get offered these days. I’m in the freak show phase of my career. I do baddies, psychopaths, weirdos, perverts and now Oompa Loompas,” Hugh told Access Hollywood, adding that he’d “just been offered the part of an orangutan as well.”
In the interview, Timothee also addressed rumors about Hugh...
Fans have been looking forward to a chance to see the 63-year-old actor play one of the distinctive characters since we first learned that he was involved in the movie earlier this year.
But how did he get cast? Hugh joked about booking the role during a recent interview and revealed where he was at in his career as a result.
Hugh Grant opened up about his role as an Oompa Loompa…
“This is what I get offered these days. I’m in the freak show phase of my career. I do baddies, psychopaths, weirdos, perverts and now Oompa Loompas,” Hugh told Access Hollywood, adding that he’d “just been offered the part of an orangutan as well.”
In the interview, Timothee also addressed rumors about Hugh...
- 12/1/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.