Warner Bros.' upcomingWonkafilm, which will serve as a prequel to Roald Dahl’s 1964 novelCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, just added the hilarious Keegan-Michael Key to its cast.
Wonkawill be directed by Paul King, who is known for his work on the critically acclaimed children’s filmsPaddingtonandPaddington 2, and starsTimothée Chalamet in the titular rolesinging and dancing. TheWarner Bros.film will explore Willy Wonka’s early years before he meets the Oompa Loompas and becomes the well-known eccentric owner of the famous chocolate factory.
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Deadline reports details about Key’s character are still under wraps, as are the other characters that will be featured in the film. King is writing the film’s script with Simon Farnaby, who acted in films likeYour HighnessandChristopher Robinand also helped writePaddington 2. Primetime Emmy winner Key is known for his hit Comedy Central seriesKey & Peele,where he worked alongside Jordan Peele(now known for his directing work on films likeGet OutandUs).
Since then, Key has been on a hot streak. Other than appearing in numerous comedic roles, the actor has been flexing his range in many other projects as of recently, starring in Apple TV Plus' musical seriesSchmigadoon!, Netflix’sThe Prom, the dramaAll the Bright Places, andJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. Audiences can catch Key in Amazon’s upcomingHotel Transylvania: Transformania, the stop-motion fantasy horror comedyWendell and Wilddirected by Henry Selick,Judd Apatow’s next film calledThe Bubble, and voicing Honest John in Robert Zemeckis’ upcoming Disney Plus projectPinocchiostarring Tom Hanks.
SinceWonkais still ways away, currently slated for a March 2023 release date, audiences will have to wait a little bit longer for any details or footage to latch on to. Reportedly, all that is known aboutWonkais that it will be the first entry in Roald Dahl’s cinematic universe featuring well-known characters. Chalamet’s maturity as an actor mixed with his boyish mannerisms seem to be a perfect fit for Willy Wonka, and he will surely bring an exciting new approach to this character that wasn’t seen in Gene Wilder’s or Johnny Depp’s portrayals
After his breakout role inCall Me By Your Name, Chalamet has continued to land big-time roles, now starring in Wes Anderson’s upcomingThe French DispatchandDenis Villeneuve’sDune. His take on Wonka will certainly be anticipated by fans of his already impressive resume.
Wonkais currently scheduled to be released in theaters on July 04, 2025.
