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!
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, including Avengers: Endgame star, Karen Gillan.
Karen Gillan Reacts to the Willy Wonka Experience
The Willy Wonka Experience took place in Glasglow, Scotland, where fans of the famous chocolatier were offered “an array of delectable treats scattered throughout the experience” according to the promotional material. However, the reality was something totally different. The supposedly dreamlike experience took place in a warehouse but even if we move past this detail, things don’t get better for the event.
The tickets were £35 and attendees were promised “surprises at every turn.” Unfortunately, no one told them that they were paying £35 for horrible surprises. According to BBC, families who attended the event describe it as, a “little more than an abandoned, empty warehouse”. While there were decorations that did resemble the film props to some level, the entire thing looked like it was part of a really bad middle school play.
apparently this was sold as a live Willy Wonka Experience but they used all AI images on the website to sell tickets and then people showed up and saw this and it got so bad people called the cops lmao pic.twitter.com/tfkyg0G0WG
— Chris Alsikkan (@AlsikkanTV) February 26, 2024
In fact, even the chocolate was missing from the chocolate factory! BBC states, “Children were instead offered a half-cup of lemonade and a small ration of jelly beans.” However, none of this was enough to deter Avengers: Endgame’s Karen Gillan, who played Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While some saw this as an upsetting moment, Gillan saw it as an opportunity.
Replying to a tweet about the Willy Wonka Experience disaster, Gillan wrote that if a film ever gets made based on the event, she’d love to be cast in a role. In fact, she’s even okay with being cast in the event itself!
PLEASE CAST ME IN THIS.
(like a movie based on this story, not the actual thing. Actually, no, either is fine) https://t.co/xqN7bM9upN
— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) February 29, 2024
While we cannot imagine spending £35 for a couple of jellybeans, a glass of lemonade, and forgettable memories, at least Gillan has managed to see the humor in the situation!
Willy Wonka Experience Horror Movie is Becoming a Reality
Well, it looks like Gillan’s suggestion was taken seriously as a horror movie based on the Willy Wonka Experience is in development. A Scotland-based production company is planning to make a horror film based on the character, The Unknown, that made an appearance at the event.
the Willy Wonka experience just gets better and better
found a longer version of the Unknown clip
you can hear the kids being excited and happy, then the Unknown comes out and the mood just drops pic.twitter.com/KznMrDcLa3— Sunny Skunk 🇦🇺🍉 (Migration Hyperfixation) (@SunnySkunk) February 29, 2024
According to Bloody Disgusting, Kaledonia Pictures is looking for a late 2024 release and will be focused on the story of,
“A renowned illustrator and his wife who are haunted by the tragic death of their son, Charlie. Desperate to escape their grief, the couple leave the world behind for the remote Scottish Highlands – where an unknowable evil awaits them.”
The production company also stated that they are excited to begin production for The Unknown. Well, if they could just get Gillan to sign up for a role, it’d be like the cherry on top!
