The Roald Dahl character Willy Wonka has been brought to life on the screen by the likes of Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, and Timothée Chalamet, with J. P. Karliak also providing the voice of the character for the animated feature Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Now, the Netflix streaming service is set to bring the character back to the screen with an animated feature called Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory, which will premiere sometime in 2027 – and today, the first image from the film has been unveiled! You can check it out at the bottom of this article.
What is Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory about?
Dahl wrote about Wonka in two novels, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator… but this new animated feature isn’t based on either one of those. Instead, directors Jared Stern (DC League of Super-Pets) and Elaine Bogan (Spirit Untamed) are telling us a new story:
Willy Wonka has spent the years since the Golden Ticket contest behind bars (not the chocolate kind) for the crime of turning a child into a blueberry. Having served his time, Wonka returns to his factory determined to add a little sweetness to a bitter world. But one thing stands in his way: teenager Charlie Paley and his friends. Facing eviction, this next generation of “rotten” kids plot to break into the factory, nab a priceless Wonka Bar, and save their homes. But like many before them who enter the fantastical world of the factory, these kids are in for a bit more than they can chew…
Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows) provides the voice of Willy Wonka, with Kit Connor (Heartstopper) as Charlie.
What has been said about Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory?
The directors provided the following statement: “Having been raised on the delightfully twisted world of Willy Wonka, it’s a privilege to bring his continued adventures to life as twisted adults. And how sweet to do it like never before via the magic of animation, creating a Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory that’s more deliciously unhinged than your wildest imagination. If we do a rotten job, you can throw us down a rubbish chute!“
Kit Connor said, “I’m so excited to enter the wonderful world of Wonka. I was immediately caught by the early concept art, and the directors’ vision for the film – capturing the spirit and heart that made the original story so special, whilst imbuing it with something so fresh and unique. It’s such a fun representation of the London that I know. This new adventure is going to surprise audiences around the world, you’re in for a treat!“
And Taika Waititi added, “Our directors, Jared and Elaine, have a bold vision befitting this new adventure whilst remaining sympathetic to the legacy, and I’m thrilled to play my part in bringing Willy Wonka to life in animated form. He is so special to me, and the opportunity to voice such an iconic, eccentric candy genius—if a little mischievous at times—is hugely exciting.“
Coming our way from Sony Pictures Imageworks, Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory is produced by Aron Warner and Timothy Yoo, with Waititi serving as an executive producer.
Hannah Minghell, the Head of Feature Animation and Family Film at Netflix Animation Studios, said, “With their singular comedic and visual flair, Jared and Elaine have concocted a delightful adventure that remains true to the spirit of Dahl’s beloved novel while imagining a brand new story that introduces this world to a new generation. We can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience the magic and mayhem for themselves when the film comes out next year.“
A press release notes, “Netflix acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021, securing rights to the author’s treasured IP and opening the door for further opportunities to expand the universe of stories across various formats like only Netflix can. Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory follows the recently announced competition series, The Golden Ticket, which is inspired by the exciting world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.“
Are you interested in Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory? Take a look at the first-look image, then let us know by leaving a comment below.
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