Warner Bros. is starting to plan a new film that centers on Willy Wonka, the main character of the 1970s movie taken from two books written by Roald Dahl. The studio succeeded in fall in acquiring the rights to the Willy Wonka intellectual property from the Roald Dahl Estate.
The studio has been pursuing the rights since the start of 2016. Willy Wonka was in two of Dahl’s books -- “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.” But he never wrote anything specific on Willy Wonka, as E!r News noted.
Two Movie Versions
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was twice adopted as a movie. The first, shown in 1971 and directed by Mel Stuart, starred Gene Wilder who died in late August at 83 years old. The second, shown in 2005 and directed by Tim Burton, starred Johnny Depp.
Before he agreed to play Willy Wonka, Wilder made a very specific request on how the eccentric character would first appear in the movie. In a letter to the director, Wilder specified, “When I make my first entrance, I’d like to come out of the door carrying a cane and then walk toward the crowd with a limp.”
Actors Get Residuals When 1971 Movie Airs On Network TV
Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), one of the 10 Oompa Loompas in the 1971 version, said he was paid $500 weekly and was sent on a trip to Germany with his family. The movie was shot for nine weeks in Germany. Until now, he still receives residuals whenever the movie is shown on network TV, but not for cable, DVD or VHS sales.
According to Variety, the upcoming movie would not be an original tale but a standalone film which focuses on Willy Wonka and his early adventures. David Heyman, who produced “Harry Potter,” would produce the upcoming movie. Co-producer is Michael Siegel from the Roald Dahl Estate. The scriptwriter would be Simon Rich who wrote “The Secret Life of Pets.”
So far, there is no cast nor release date announced yet.
