A recently released clip from Timothée Chalamet’s upcoming film, Wonka, featured a CGI-enhanced Hugh Grant portraying an Oompa Loompa. A third film adaptation based on Roald Dahl’s character aims to explore the origin story of Willy Wonka, the inventor and chocolatier from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The movie clip has elicited mixed reactions from fans, with some criticizing the wackiness of the movie, while others sharing optimism about the film’s potential.
Wonka is directed by Paddington director, Paul King. The film features a talented set of actors, including Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, and Olivia Colman, besides Chalamet and Grant.
Fans React To New Clip From Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka
In the clip, Timothée Chalamet’s Willy Wonka traps Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa within a glass casing. Grant is seen in an orange makeup and green wig, accusing Wonka of stealing cocoa beans before performing the Oompa Loompa song to narrate a ‘tragic’ tale. The musical fantasy film is expected to feature numerous songs and dance numbers. While the Love Actually star is no stranger to singing, fans are eager to witness Chalamet’s singing and dancing skills in the movie.
First clip from ‘WONKA’, including Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa. pic.twitter.com/uPAfGyGwbn
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 16, 2023
The reaction from fans is divided. One fan called the Dune actor overrated, while another comment noted that Chalamet always played the sad, lonely boy. Some also criticized the CGI work on Grant’s character. However, others felt that the movie would become a holiday classic, asserting that the addition of the Four Weddings and A Funeral actor elevated their expectations. Fans believe the star power of the film holds the potential to turn it into a theatrical hit.
Tbh Timothée Chalamet is so overrated 😭 its already bad
— viewed (@viewed_) November 16, 2023
Oh wow this looks so much worse than I imagined
— maybe: aly (@aly_hnsn) November 17, 2023
Cgi looks bad already. They should have stuck with original formula of using actual little people.
— Roberto1055 (@RobertoMGonzal2) November 16, 2023
Yeah this is going to be a holiday classic lol we’re definitely going to watch this on release
— シルバ・ジン (@Silva_Jin93) November 16, 2023
Anywhere you see Hugh Grant know you’ll get a classic pic.twitter.com/jbTBPcvYKP
— Angry Scouser (@FreddieBetse) November 16, 2023
This movie has all the power to make it a hit!! pic.twitter.com/m3FAxqv8fi
— Dan Atomic (@BOOSTITMEDIA) November 17, 2023
Wonka serves as a prequel to the 1971 Gene Wilder movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Johnny Depp also played the Wonka character in the 2005 film adaptation by Tim Burton. Before Chalamet took on the role, other actors including Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling, and Ezra Miller were considered for the role.
Hugh Grant’s Casting In Wonka Was Criticized
George Coppen, an actor with dwarfism, was one among the many people who criticized Hugh Grant’s casting as an Oompa Loompa. Coppen felt that the role should have been filled by an actor with dwarfism. Interestingly, the 1971 film featured actors with dwarfism in the Oompa Loompa roles, and in the 2005 film, a 4ft 4in Deep Roy portrayed all the Oompa Loompas.
Coppen shared with BBC that a lot of actors with dwarfism are pushed out of such roles in films. Coppen stated,
“A lot of people, myself included, argue that dwarfs should be offered everyday roles in dramas and soaps, but we aren’t getting offered those roles. One door is being closed but they have forgotten to open the next one.”
Interestingly, director Paul King wrote a letter to Grant, pitching the role with a sarcastic joke. King shared the same with Variety, stating that he wrote in his letter, “You’re good at playing washed-up, old ham.” King also remarked that he sought this exact characteristic for the actor playing Oompa Loompa.
Wonka is scheduled to hit theaters on December 15.
