Wonka | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Paul King |
Screenplay by |
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Story by | Paul King |
Based on | Characters by Roald Dahl |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Chung Chung-hoon |
Edited by | Mark Everson |
Music by |
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Production companies |
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Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 116 minutes[2] |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Budget | $125 million[3] |
Box office | $632.3 million[4][5] |
Wonka is a 2023 musical fantasy comedy 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 Willy Wonka, a central character in the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, depicting his early days as a chocolatier. The film stars Timothée Chalamet as the title character, with an ensemble cast including Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant.
Development began when Warner Bros. Pictures reacquired the rights to the character in October 2016 and announced that the film would be an origin story. The film tells an original story and was developed by King to exist as a "companion piece" to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) by reprising some of the music, thematic elements, and the visual design of the Oompa Loompas.[6] In May 2021, Chalamet was confirmed to portray Wonka, and the supporting cast was announced in September of that year. Filming began in the United Kingdom in September, at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, in Watford, as well as Oxford, Lyme Regis, Bath, St Albans, and at the Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park, London.[7] The film's original songs were written by Neil Hannon, and its original score by Joby Talbot. The film explores the themes of classism, capitalism, social commentary, innovation, determination, prejudice and discrimination.
Wonka premiered in London at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre on November 28, 2023, and was released in the United Kingdom on December 8 and in the United States on December 15 by Warner Bros. Pictures. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Chalamet's performance, the music and visuals, and was a box-office success, grossing $632 million worldwide against a $125 million budget to become the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2023. It received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film, and Chalamet was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
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