Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
 

One of the few movies I have been following, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is not a remake of Willy Wonka but an adaption from Dahl's book. It is interesting to read all of the posts at imdb.com regarding Depp as Wonka, as well as Burton's vision.

Here are some initial trivia

Trivia for
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

• Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Nicolas Cage and Michael Keaton were all considered for the role of Willy Wonka.
• Johnny Depp's second chocolate-based movie (the first being Chocolat (2000)). Depp doesn't like the taste of good chocolate - he prefers the cheap, Easter bunny type.
• Martin Scorsese was at one point attached to direct.

Considering that Depp lives in France, I would assume that what they meant by "good chocolate" refers to the crappy European chocolate that tastes like donkey piss. Only good chocolate comes out of Hershey, PA.

Anyway, a lot of people are trying to visualize and justify Depp as Wonka. I think it'll be hard because of the inevitable comparison to Wilder. Jim Carrey or Robin Williams I could have easily seen but that's not Burton's style. I didn't think Cage had any acting chops to take on Wonka but Martin or Walken would have been interesting.

If Depp is in this I will boycott this movie...or just not see it.

i just read that they dropped the camera (or the lens, anyway), into a vat of chocolate. the lens cost $450k, and replacing it or fixing it will be like $900k. what makes it even funnier is that burton brought in a camera rigging team from america specifically to guard against something like that happening. ha!

That was the news that caught my attention today. They didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Another relic of childhood. Utterly destroyed.

What blows is I heard a "little person" on Bob and Tom talking about this a couple weeks ago, she said they will not use "little people" for the Umpas, they are using kids. Thats just wrong!

Snippets from one of the many thread (sorry in advance if this formats wrong)

Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave!

by - angelbabe_519 (Thu Jul 8 22:37:55)

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Are you kidding me with this version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

The person who was responsible for those g*ddamn Charlies Angels movies is going to RUIN Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

He has already f'ed up one Charlie, don't make a mess of the other! Leave it alone! Let sleeping dog's lie!

Let the original and best version with Gene Wilder be the one and only Chocolate Factory. Its a lot like the book, a lot of the same dialouge, and lyrics to the songs!

I know this is no a remake of the '71 version, but Tim Burton is going to make it dark, depressing and gothic.

son of a bitch.

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - donnys (Fri Jul 9 04:58:36) Ignore this User | Report Abuse Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! Dahl hated the original version and let's be honest here Tim did a super job of Dahl's "James and the giant peach". The book is very dark and I'm sure Tim will do it great justice. Now go back to watching daytime TV.

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - worryrock2007 (Fri Jul 9 05:46:39) Ignore this User | Report Abuse um tim didnt have anything to do with the Charlies Angels movies nor did johnny.

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - Minkymouse (Fri Jul 9 07:15:50) Ignore this User | Report Abuse It's the screen writer who was on Charlie's Angels. This will be brilliant though - whatever anybody thinks Proud Member of the Johnny's Angels Club

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - ebrown2112 1 hour ago (Mon Jul 19 16:06:46) Ignore this User | Report Abuse Dahl hated the original? Too bad, it was brilliant.

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - Erodgers1971 (Fri Jul 9 09:01:26) Ignore this User | Report Abuse Um, The 71 version was really nothing like the book. I enjoyed the 71 version, but I loved the book and I hope that Burton makes it a little dark...the book was dark. Did you actually read the origonal book?

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - HotDonna (Sun Jul 11 11:27:55) Ignore this User | Report Abuse alright, I just finished reading the book again (first time was in 5th grade) and I don't see what's so dark about it. explanation, anyone?

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - MistsofTime (Fri Jul 9 11:22:37) Ignore this User | Report Abuse I, for one, am looking forward to Burton's version of CatCF. I read the book in the third grade, and became a fan of Dahl's written work. I remember seeing "Willy Wonka" on television a few years back, and although I enjoyed the movie, I was disappointed that it strayed from the book. I am pleased to hear Burton will try hard to keep this movie faithful to Dahl's book.

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - FritztheCat2002 (Fri Jul 9 18:14:19) Ignore this User | Report Abuse UPDATED Fri Jul 9 18:15:14 Listen, SCHMUCK, Roald Dahl hated the "original" film with Gene Wilder. And rightfully so. The film was a insult to the book. It was poorly acted. The music sucked. I could go on and on and on, but I won't, because I have already complained about the old film so many times that it isn't even funny. IT SUCKED! IT SUCKED! IT SUCKED! IT SUCKED! OK, angelbabe?

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - Youkai68 (Sat Jul 10 06:00:30) Ignore this User | Report Abuse What are you talking about? Roald Dahl hated the original film and Burton's version of the film will be much closer to the book and he actually said that it will be less dark than the original (!). I'm sure he will give it his gothic sensibility but a story like this really needs it. Also, John August didn't ruin Big Fish so he won't ruin this. Wakey, wakey! Eggs and bakey!

Re: Roald Dahl would be turning in his grave! by - tokoloshex (Sat Jul 10 12:17:45) Ignore this User | Report Abuse It seems like an idea that would definitely appeal to Burton, but it's probably ground he shouldn't tread. It's well and truly a children's story with deep underlying morals ASWELL as unlimited imagination. He always seems to have flawless art direction, and hey I love the guy but he isn't a GREAT director and remakes are tricky stuff, especially a remake of a film of a book that was written over 30 years ago, and also taking into consideration what he did with Planet of the Apes AND that there are no grey's and black's in the chocolate factory *phew*. I'm sure it'll look great considering the physical environment shown in the book is more suited to Burton's strange set designs than anything he's done to date, but everything will be warped and Burtonised and does Roald Dahl deserve that or would he have ever wanted that?

I think Depp can be good as Willy Wonka.. I caught part of a movie where Depp was in some house, sleeping on a sofa and eating paint.. carrying around a cane.. not sure what movie it was, but the stuff he was wearing and how he was walking, it just made me think he could be a good Wonka.

Christopher Walken as Wonka would have been AWESOME!

Benny and Joon.

I love Walken, but he would've most likely used his delayed talking approach, don't you think? It wouldn't fit.. and Wonka has to sing and dance, right? I can't see Walken doing that... :)

That sounds about right. :)

But that's why it would be so funny!

This is a GREAT movie!!! Depp was amazing in this role...I can definitely see him as Willy Wonka...Jim Carrey would have made it too slapstick and Walken, well maybe, but Depp would have definitely gotten my vote up against those two!

You can't see Walken singing and dancing?? His dancing was hilarious in that techno guy's video a few years back (Fatboy Slim maybe?) and I think I've heard him sing a couple times and it was decent. He would've been a great Wonka but I think Depp's got potential too.

I still say Marilyn Manson woulda made a better Willy Wonka.

If you don't see it, then your childhood memories won't be ruined.

I guess you've never seen one of Walken's many stints as host on Saturday Night Live. He sings and dances on every one.

Christopher Walken?

Picture it...he wouldn't say a word for the first 1/3 of the movie, then he'd drag Augustus Gloop behind a Gobstopper machine and hack him to pieces, then have the Oompa-Loompas stuff the body parts up the pipes.

Dola

I was at first a bit worried about Burton doing this movie. I know there is some darkness to the story, but it was one of my favorite childhood movies and it invoked many colorful fantasies. After seeing Big Fish, I'm not the least bit worried about Burton's ability to do it justice. And Depp can be whimsical. I'll be interested to see how he pulls it off compared to his pigeon-holed dark characters.

However, I am a purist and am concerned about a. Hollywood's current lack of creativity and b. that my child will grow up thinking of Depp as Wonka as most of us thought of Wilder.

Wow. After living in Belgium for the past two and a half years, I cannot stress how silly this statement sounds. Ricockulous, old man. Ricockulous!

As for Depp. A solid choice. I think Carey and/or Williams would have played it way over the top. Too much for my tastes. (pun intended)

Believe it or not hes not the only person to hold this view. Americans are just addicted to sugar, some are so addicted to it in their foods that they don't realize that the flavoring and ingredients in their food is subpar when it is dosed with more sugar than the higher quality stuff. Theres a reason Americans buy up sugary cerials and snack cakes. European chocolate takes some getting used to sometimes, especially if you only grew up on American, but once you get used to it you'll get hooked on it. (If you truly like chocolate)

I get around all that by not being one of you chocolate freaks.

Chocolate. Yuck.

I reckon that's entirely possible. Makes sense to me. I'm American. Lived there 27.5 out of my 30 years. Then again, I'm not a huge chocolate eater. Never have been all that into candy or sweets for the most part. That said, the difference between a Hershey bar and chocolate from Pierre Marcolini... wow.

I forgot about Walken's SNL and music video stuff..... for shame.... :( I still can't see him as Willy Wonka though... his look doesn't suit it, at least for me.

I think they should get Chris Rock as Wonka.

Little known fact - Walken's early career was wall to wall broadway musicals. He did West Side Story for 10 years.

Out of all the names mentioned I think Williams could have done the best job. I am a big Depp fan and think he'll be outstanding in the role, just think Williams would have been better.

As for the Umpa-loompas (sp?), I hope Burton tones them down from the original. Many of my childhood nightmares were caused by those orange-faced demons .

Actually, if anything the Oompa-Loompas might be more sinister, if I am recalling the original book correctly.

I think Vern Troyer would make an excellent Oompa Loompa...

I have a crush on Edward Scissorhands.

Sorry for the threadjack, but in all seriousness, I loved Edward Scissorhands (and how Depp played the part).

I don't doubt that he'll do a good job in this new role of his.



"Hold me."

"I can't."

Johnny Depp is one of the best actors in hollywood. Every movie I seen him act in I liked to the point I brought the DVD. So I believe he will do a good job with this movie.

Hey Noop and I are in complete agreement on this. Depp is easilly one of the best actors of the day. I thought he easilly deserved the best actor oscar last year for Pirates of the Caribbean.

I am really hard pressed to come up with a movie he has been in where he was a problem of any sort. Typically i feel that he "steals the show".

I think he will be a great Wonka. The only folks on the list I don't think could have pulled it off are Williams and Martin. Well ok I can't see Nicholas Cage doing it either. My vote goes hands down to Depp with Walken running a close second. Part of Walken's appeal is really just my curiosity regarding how he would handle the part.

I'd like to see Jay Mohr play Willie Wonka while doing his Christopher Walken impression the whole time...

I didn't like chocolate at all either until I traveled around Europe last summer. When we got to Switzerland the guys I went with were bugging me to try some Swiss Chocolate and once I did, I got addicted.

Seth Green's Chris as Wonka would have ruled.

Why? Because I am sleepy and my judgement is off.

Am I the only person who saw Wonka many times as a kid and didnt like it? It just always bugged me as a kid how Wonka treated those kids (or didn't treat em). As a teenager and as an adult, it always bugged me how kiddifyed and loved by kids this movie was while through most of it Wonka had such a sinister streak. And in the end its like "Oh look everything is happy, nevermind that he thinks its ok to scar children if they don't meet his moral inspections."

Thats why this movie sounds like a GREAT idea. Make this movie a "Dark" movie. I always thought Wonka was a dark and even interesting character. One that was out of place in a movie story that Disney and movie goers treated as more upbeat than it should have been treated.

You want it dark and creepy? Get Michael Jackson to play Willy Wonka...

Once Upon a Time in Mexico almost made me forgive Depp for Crybaby.

My girlfriend has a longstanding sexual fixation with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, it's very disturbing.

Please elaborate.

This ought to be interesting. I loved the original movie, and have never read the book. I'm glad they are not remaking the original movie (and I take from that this will not be a musical?).

I love the original movie. But I have read the book since then and I will have to say the book reads nothing like the original movie. I would have to say Burton and Depp as Wonka are a perfect fit to how I read the actual book. So if you are going to compare this to the original movie, it will suck. It you are going to compare it to Dahl's book you might be very pleased.

Johnny Depp is playing me???

If he can play Ed Wood, he can play you.

tim burton is a genius and i trust him 100%