WONKA director explains he chose Hugh Grant as Oompa Loompa because ‘he’s the funniest, most sarcastic bitch’

Hugh Grant takes on the role of an Oompa Loompa in the upcoming Willy Wonka origin film, Wonka. It’s definitely an interesting choice, and it’s really strange to see Grant as a little orange man with green hair, but there’s a reason why the director Paolo Re chose him for the role. In fact, Grant was his first choice to play an Oompa Loompa and he believes it’s perfect casting.

Roald Dahl originally described the Oompa Loompas as small creatures “no taller than my knee” with golden hair. Director Mel Stuart he changed the character designs for his original film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This is where the orange skin and green hair came into play and that style was incorporated into the upcoming film. But, when it came to the Oompa Loompas’ vocals and personalities, King returned to the source material, explaining to Total Film:

“I was enchanted by the idea of ​​these incredibly small beings, much smaller than even me, child-sized. The voice and attitude of the Oompa Loompas come from the retelling of the books: long songs full of humor, sarcasm, superiority and contempt So I was actually just thinking about that character, someone who can be really shit. And I thought, ‘Ah, Hugh.’ [Grant]!’ Because she is the funniest and most sarcastic person I’ve ever met! We’d been there before with Paddington 2. I had to write him this embarrassing letter, saying: ‘You’re good at playing old ham radio…'”

Grant ended up coming on board to play the character. It is explained that the character was recreated digitally, but Grant was physically on set for all of his scenes, so he and Timothée Chalamet. they could work together and “find an organic rhythm to their jokes.”

King added: “Once you see Hugh Grant as an 18-inch tall orange man with green hair, you say, ‘Ah, yes. I know what the Oompa Loompas are. It all makes perfect sense.'”

At the same time, there are actors with dwarfism who are upset with the casting. George Coppena British actor who appeared in Willow, Artemis Fowland played Sweet Cupid on Netflix The school of good and evilexpressed his feelings about Grant being cast in the role:

“Many actors [with dwarfism] we feel like we’ve been pushed out of the industry we love. Many people, including myself, argue that dwarves should be offered everyday roles in dramas and soaps, but we are not offered those roles. One door was closed but they forgot to open the next one.”

Regardless of what he thinks, King seems very pleased with Grant’s choice for the role.

Wonka tells the wonderful story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.

The film is described as a “heady mix of magic and music, chaos and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humour”. This irresistibly vivid and creative big-screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, bursting with ideas and determined to change the world one delicious morsel at a time, proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you have lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.”

The film is also the protagonist Calah Lane (The day will come), Keegan-Michael Key (Schmigadoon), Paterson Joseph (Vigil), Matt Lucas (Paddington), Matthew Baynton (The wrong men), Sally Hawkins (The shape of water), Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey), Olivia Colman (The favorite), Natasha Rothwell (white lotus), Rich Fulcher (Marriage history), Rakhee Thakrar (Four weddings and a funeral), Tom Davis (Paddington2) AND Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Paddington2).

Wonka will be released in theaters on December 15th.