Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series spotlighting the year’s most talked-about scripts continues with the Paul King-directed and co-written Wonka. From Warner Bros, Village Roadshow and Heyday Films, the Timothée Chalamet starrer is also co-written by Simon Farnaby based on characters created by Roald Dahl.
Wonka, from Harry Potter producer David Heyman and Paddington director King, sees Chalamet in the titular 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 “something of a whopper” Oompa-Loompa named Lofty.
Excitement for the holiday release was first stoked back at CinemaCon in April 2022, and with the first two weekends of global rollout now just behind us, the movie has made upwards of $150 million worldwide with plenty of play ahead. It’s at 84% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 91% score from audiences. It’s also got two Critics Choice nominations and a Golden Globe nom for Chalamet.
In June, the actor surprised exhibitors at CineEurope in Barcelona saying of the film, “It was a dream come true… It’s really how Willy became Wonka.” Heyman at the time noted, “there is not an ounce of cynicism” in the film.
At the world premiere in late November, King mused to Deadline about plans for future films. “There’s a few irons in fires. I think the character could absolutely take exploration, but let’s see how tonight goes – and then we’ll make 17 sequels.”
Introducing the film on stage that night, Heyman said King has an “incredible visual flair and invention, brilliant comic instincts and a generosity of spirit — all of which are in perfect balance with his big beating heart. His films are epic, yet feel handmade, and that is because they are handmade as he wrestles every day over every frame to make it as good as it can be. He truly is a magician.”
In Deadline’s review, Pete Hammond wrote, “King’s creation actually feels original, taking the spirit of Dahl and his wickedly funny world and giving it a whole new spin. … With Wonka, he proves he has the golden ticket to make this often too-undervalued genre a pleasure no matter what your age. It is a spirit-lifting delight.”
Click below to read the script.
