Warner Bros. / Courtesy of the Everett Collection
Deadline's Read the Screenplay series, highlighting the year's most talked-about screenplays, continues with Wonka, directed and co-written by Paul King. Starring Timothée Chalamet from Warner Bros., Village Roadshow and Heyday Films, the film was also written by Simon Farnaby and based on characters created by Roald Dahl.
Wonka, from Harry Potter producer David Heyman and Paddington director King, sees Chalamet in the title role of the enigmatic candy maker. The origin story/musical also stars Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, Jim Carter and Matt Lucas. Hugh Grant plays the “kind of badass” Oompa-Loompa named Lofty.
Anticipation for the holiday release was first raised at CinemaCon in April 2022, and with the first two weekends of worldwide release now just behind us, the film has grossed over $150 million worldwide and has plenty of room to go. It has an 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 91% rating from viewers. The film also received two Critics Choice nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for Chalamet.
In June, the actor surprised exhibitors at CineEurope in Barcelona by saying: “It was a dream come true… That's how Willy really became Wonka.” Heyman remarked at the time: “There's not a shred of cynicism in the film.”
At the world premiere in late November, King mused on plans for future films to Deadline. “There are a few irons in the fire. I think the character could certainly be explored, but let’s see how it goes tonight – and then we’ll do 17 sequels.”
Introducing the film on stage that evening, Heyman said King had “an incredible visual sense and ingenuity, brilliant comic instincts and a generosity of spirit – all in perfect balance with his big beating heart.” His films are epic and feel nevertheless handmade, and that's because they are handmade, as he struggles every day with each picture to make it as good as possible. He really is a magician.”
In Deadline's review, Pete Hammond wrote: “King's creation actually feels original, taking the spirit of Dahl and his incredibly funny world and giving it a whole new twist.”…With Wonka, he proves he's the golden ticket has to make this often underrated genre enjoyable, no matter what age. It’s a mood-enhancing treat.”
Click below to read the script.
