A new Willy Wonka film is in development.
A new standalone adventure based on the eccentric chocolatier character created by late children’s author Roald Dahl is in development after Warner Bros. Pictures was granted a license from the Roald Dahl Estate to revive Wonka on the big screen.
According to Variety, the movie will serve as a prequel to the events of the book ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and its sequel ‘Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator’ focusing on the early life of the candy man.
Charlie Bucket who wins a golden ticket to go on a tour of Wonka’s magical chocolate factory will not feature in the movie but could make an appearance if the film sparks a franchise.
‘Harry Potter’ producer David Heyman has been handed the task to bring to the project to cinemas with ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ writer Simon Rich penning the screenplay.
Since the original book was released in 1964 it has lived on in two movies and on the stage.
The first film, ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’, was released in 1971 and saw the late great Gene Wilder take on the role of Wonka.
Tim Burton then revived the characters in 2005’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ film with Johnny Depp playing the wacky Wonka.
Dahl’s imaginative story got a stage musical adaptation in 2013 courtesy of David Greig, who wrote the script, and Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who penned the music and lyrics. It is still running at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, London, but is due to end in January 2017.
New Willy Wonka film coming
