Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, Christian Borle and Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka.Photo:Silver Screen Collection/Getty; Warner Bros; Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Warner Bros.
Silver Screen Collection/Getty; Warner Bros; Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Warner Bros.
As fansget a first glimpseofTimothée Chalamet’s Willy Wonka, take a look back at the other actors who have stepped into the iconic role.Dating back to 1971, withGene Wilder’s inaugural performance in the first film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s bookCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, four different actors have taken on the role on both the stage and screen.While it turns outDahl himself was not such a fan of the original adaptation, generations of fans felt otherwise, making it a beloved classic. In 2005 the film was remade withJohnny Deppin the role of Willy Wonka. In 2016, the story got the Broadway treatment and was adapted for the stage withChristian Borlestarring as the chocolatier, and in 2023, fans will see Chalamet don the iconic top hat and purple coat inWonka.“Obviously, he’s walking in the footsteps of some truly phenomenal performers who played the role before, so the bar was set very high,“Wonkadirector Paul Kingrecently told PEOPLEof Chalamet. “I think what’s so remarkable about his performance is not only that he is funny and mischievous and quite mysterious, as well — just like the Willy Wonka that people will know — but also, he brings such heart to the role and he’s a brilliant actor.““He’s incredibly emotionally intelligent and can bring a great deal of emotional truth to the role,” King added.From Wilder to Chalamet here’s a closer look at all of the Willy Wonka actors throughout the years.
As fansget a first glimpseofTimothée Chalamet’s Willy Wonka, take a look back at the other actors who have stepped into the iconic role.
Dating back to 1971, withGene Wilder’s inaugural performance in the first film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s bookCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, four different actors have taken on the role on both the stage and screen.
While it turns outDahl himself was not such a fan of the original adaptation, generations of fans felt otherwise, making it a beloved classic. In 2005 the film was remade withJohnny Deppin the role of Willy Wonka. In 2016, the story got the Broadway treatment and was adapted for the stage withChristian Borlestarring as the chocolatier, and in 2023, fans will see Chalamet don the iconic top hat and purple coat inWonka.
“Obviously, he’s walking in the footsteps of some truly phenomenal performers who played the role before, so the bar was set very high,“Wonkadirector Paul Kingrecently told PEOPLEof Chalamet. “I think what’s so remarkable about his performance is not only that he is funny and mischievous and quite mysterious, as well — just like the Willy Wonka that people will know — but also, he brings such heart to the role and he’s a brilliant actor.”
“He’s incredibly emotionally intelligent and can bring a great deal of emotional truth to the role,” King added.
From Wilder to Chalamet here’s a closer look at all of the Willy Wonka actors throughout the years.
01of 05
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka.Warner Bros; Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty
Warner Bros; Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty
And while Chalamet is known for his acting talent, fans may be surprised to see him taking on singing and dancing in this role as well.
“It’s really a tour de force for him there,” King, 44, shared with PEOPLE of his performance, adding, “He was rehearsing for months … honing skills, which was a pleasure to watch.”
While speaking toVogue UKfor his September 2022 cover story,Chalamet called the film“so joyous.”
Per the outlet, filming the movie, which includes seven musical numbers, created an “escape” for the actor.
“I hate to say it, but the dream as an artist is to throw whatever the f— you want at the wall, you know?” Chalamet said. “And I guess what I’m realizing is that one’s personal life, one’s adult life, can be quite boring and the artist’s life can still be extraordinary.”
02of 05Crispin GloverCrispin Glover.John P Johnson/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock; Amanda Edwards/GettyIn a bit of a departure from the other iterations of the role, Crispin Glover’s Wonka in 2007’sEpic Moviewas not so much for children. The parody film, which stars other actors includingKal Penn,Jennifer Coolidge, Darrell Hammond andCarmen Electra, pokes fun at epic films likeThe Da Vinci Code,The Pirates of the Caribbeansaga and of course,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.Glover’s version is a bit more sinister — taking body parts from the four unlucky visitors to use in his candy — but that signature Wonka costume is unmissable.
02of 05
Crispin Glover
Crispin Glover.John P Johnson/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock; Amanda Edwards/Getty
John P Johnson/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock; Amanda Edwards/Getty
In a bit of a departure from the other iterations of the role, Crispin Glover’s Wonka in 2007’sEpic Moviewas not so much for children. The parody film, which stars other actors includingKal Penn,Jennifer Coolidge, Darrell Hammond andCarmen Electra, pokes fun at epic films likeThe Da Vinci Code,The Pirates of the Caribbeansaga and of course,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Glover’s version is a bit more sinister — taking body parts from the four unlucky visitors to use in his candy — but that signature Wonka costume is unmissable.
03of 05
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.Warner Bros; Rich Fury/Getty
Warner Bros; Rich Fury/Getty
More than 30 years after the original film premiered,Johnny Deppstepped into the role of Willy Wonka in Tim Burton’sCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryin 2005. The movie also starred other notable actors such asFreddie Highmoreas Charlie Bucket,Helena Bonham Carteras Mrs. Bucket andAnnaSophia Robbas Violet.
On theEllen DeGeneresShowin 2012,he described his inspiration for the performanceas “I imagined what George Bush would be like … incredibly stoned. And thus was born my version of Willy Wonka.”
InRoger Ebert’s review of the film, he said that while the film was “mostly delightful,” Depp’s performance did not impress him.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factorysucceeds in spite of Johnny Depp’s performance, which should have been the high point of the movie,” he wrote. “Depp, an actor of considerable gifts, has never been afraid to take a chance, but this time he takes the wrong one. His Willy Wonka is an enigma in an otherwise mostly delightful movie from Tim Burton, where the visual invention is a wonderment.”
The film grossed more than $475 million at the worldwide box office,Entertainment Weeklyreported.
04of 05Christian BorleChristian Borle as Willy Wonka.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Jason Mendez/GettyIn 2017, Roald Dahl’s tale got the Broadway treatment when a musical adaptation opened on the Great White Way.Christian Borleplayed the role of Willy Wonka thoughCharlie and the Chocolate Factorywould run for less than a year.Of his “Wonka suit” worn in the show,Borle toldVogue: “As we were doing fittings, I said, ‘I’d really like for him to be put together and actually quite elegant and veer away from any cartoonishness,’”He continued, “The only thing that I’m not getting, which I’m disappointed about, is a cane that shoots fire—apparently that’s a safety issue or something.”Three young actors shared the role of Charlie Bucket alongside Borle: Jake Ryan Flynn, Ryan Sell and Ryan Foust.
04of 05
Christian Borle
Christian Borle as Willy Wonka.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Jason Mendez/Getty
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Jason Mendez/Getty
In 2017, Roald Dahl’s tale got the Broadway treatment when a musical adaptation opened on the Great White Way.Christian Borleplayed the role of Willy Wonka thoughCharlie and the Chocolate Factorywould run for less than a year.
Of his “Wonka suit” worn in the show,Borle toldVogue: “As we were doing fittings, I said, ‘I’d really like for him to be put together and actually quite elegant and veer away from any cartoonishness,’”
He continued, “The only thing that I’m not getting, which I’m disappointed about, is a cane that shoots fire—apparently that’s a safety issue or something.”
Three young actors shared the role of Charlie Bucket alongside Borle: Jake Ryan Flynn, Ryan Sell and Ryan Foust.
05of 05Gene WilderGene Wilder as Willy Wonka.Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty; George Rose/Getty1971’sWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factorywas the first time fans of theRoald Dahlclassic saw the fantastical world come to life.Gene Wilderplayed the role of Willy Wonka in a performance that cemented him as an icon and earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best motion picture actor.Despite the love the film has received from fans throughout the years, it turns outDahl was not a fan himself. In fact, he would not allow the movie to be remade during his lifetime or for the rights to be sold to make a sequel. 15 years after his death in 1990, his estate signed off on Burton’s project.And in a twist, once the film was remade with Depp stepping into his famous top hat — it was Wilder who voiced his dislike of that film.“It’s just some people sitting around thinking, ‘How can we make some more money?’ Why else would you remakeWilly Wonka? I don’t see the point of going back and doing it all over again,” he said in 2013 at a 92Y event, perEntertainment Weekly.He added: “Right now, the only thing that does take some of the edge off this for me is that Willy Wonka’s name isn’t in the title.”Wilder starred in the 1971 film alongside Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson, Julie Dawn Cole, Denise Nickerson and others.The beloved actordied in 2016.
05of 05
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty; George Rose/Getty
Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty; George Rose/Getty
1971’sWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factorywas the first time fans of theRoald Dahlclassic saw the fantastical world come to life.Gene Wilderplayed the role of Willy Wonka in a performance that cemented him as an icon and earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best motion picture actor.
Despite the love the film has received from fans throughout the years, it turns outDahl was not a fan himself. In fact, he would not allow the movie to be remade during his lifetime or for the rights to be sold to make a sequel. 15 years after his death in 1990, his estate signed off on Burton’s project.
And in a twist, once the film was remade with Depp stepping into his famous top hat — it was Wilder who voiced his dislike of that film.
“It’s just some people sitting around thinking, ‘How can we make some more money?’ Why else would you remakeWilly Wonka? I don’t see the point of going back and doing it all over again,” he said in 2013 at a 92Y event, perEntertainment Weekly.
He added: “Right now, the only thing that does take some of the edge off this for me is that Willy Wonka’s name isn’t in the title.”
Wilder starred in the 1971 film alongside Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson, Julie Dawn Cole, Denise Nickerson and others.
The beloved actordied in 2016.
source: people.com
