Wonka is a 2023 musical fantasy film directed by Paul King, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby, based on a story by King. It tells the origin story of the titular Willy Wonka, a character in the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, featuring his early days as an eccentric chocolatier. The film stars Timothée Chalamet in the title role, along with newcomer Calah Lane and an ensemble cast including Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman and Hugh Grant.
Development began after Warner Bros. Pictures, which previously released its adaptation of the 1964 novel in 2005, acquired the rights to the titular character in October 2016 and revealed the film would serve as an origin story for Wonka. In May 2021, Chalamet was confirmed to be playing Wonka, and the supporting cast was announced in September of that year. Principal photography began in the United Kingdom in September 2021. Filming took place in Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Watford, Oxford, Lyme Regis, Bath, St Albans, and at the Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park, London. Neil Hannon contributed the original songs for the film, while Joby Talbot provided its original score.
Wonka had a special screening at ShowEast on 24 October 2023, and is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on 8 December and in the United States on 15 December, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The VFX is Done by:
Framestore – VFX Supervisors: Robert Allman, Carlos Monzon
Outpost VFX – VFX Supervisor: Jason Evans
Goldcrest VFX – VFX Supervisor: Dolores McGinley
Host VFX – VFX Supervisor: Joss Flores
The Production VFX Supervisor is Graham Page.
The Production VFX Producer is Dominic Sidoli.
Director: Paul King
Release Date: December 15, 2023 – USA
