There may be 50 years between this and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” but that doesn’t change the fact that Timothée Chalamet has huge shoes to fill as Willy Wonka. The late, great Gene Wilder has been the face of the beloved candy man for multiple generations, so upholding that mantle is no breezy task. But so far, Chalamet seems to wear his top hat very well.
Boosting the “Wonka” promise of joy and sincerity, the film comes from director Paul King (“Paddington 1 & 2”), who co-wrote the film with Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”). Producers include David Heyman (of the “Harry Potter” franchise), Luke Kelly (“The Witches”), Michael Siegel (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”), and Alexandra Derbyshire (“Paddington”). Starring alongside Chalamet are Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell, Matt Lucas, Tom Davis, Jim Carter, and more.
“Wonka” is scheduled to open in theaters on December 15, 2023.