Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series, highlighting the year’s most talked about screenplays, continues with the film directed and co-written by Paul King Wonka. The Timothée Chalamet starrer from Warner Bros., Village Roadshow and Heyday Films was also co-written by Simon Farnaby and based on characters created by Roald Dahl.
Wonkaof Harry Potter Producer David Heyman and Paddington Director King sees Chalamet in the title role of the enigmatic candy maker. The original story/musical also stars Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, Jim Carter and Matt Lucas. Hugh Grant plays the “something of a lunatic” Oompa-Loompa named Lofty.
There was initial excitement about its holiday release at CinemaCon in April 2022, and with the first two weekends of worldwide release just behind us, the film has grossed over $150 million worldwide, and counting. On Rotten Tomatoes, the freshness rating is 84% and the audience rating is 91%. There were also two Critics Choice nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for Chalamet.
In June, the actor surprised exhibitors at CineEurope in Barcelona by saying of the film: “It was a dream come true… That’s exactly what Willy Wonka became.” Heyman remarked at the time: “There is not an iota of cynicism in the film.”
At the world premiere in late November, King reflected on plans for future films to Deadline. “There are some irons in the fire. I think you can definitely do some research on the character, but let’s see how it goes tonight and then we’ll do seventeen sequels.”
Introducing the film on stage that night, Heyman said King had “incredible visual flair and ingenuity, brilliant comic instincts and a generosity of spirit – all in perfect balance with his big beating heart.” His films are epic, yet feel handmade, and that’s because they are handmade, as he strives every day with each image to make it as good as possible. He really is a magician.”
In Deadline’s review, Pete Hammond wrote, “King’s creation feels genuinely original, taking the spirit of Dahl and his incredibly funny world and giving it a whole new twist.”… By Wonka, He proves he has the golden ticket to make this often underrated genre enjoyable regardless of age. It is an overwhelming pleasure.”
Click below to read the script.
Source: Deadline
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
