Title: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Publication: UK Movie Magic
Issue: May 2005
There are movies that remain timeless family favourites, rebroadcast on holidays for new generations to enjoy. Movies like me The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, and Miracle on 34th Street fit that mould. Other films are remembered and revered from one era to the next for being unique and irreverent, not because they were mainstream blockbuster releases. These are known as cult classics. Campy movies like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, sci-fi flicks like Blade Runner and low budget horror movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers fall into this category. There may only be one movie ever made that fits into both categories. The 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is at once cult classic and family favourite.
After over 30 years, the movie has remained popular as ever, being rebroadcast on network television and cable over and over. School plays and Halloween costumes are still inspired by film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The long awaited remake of the original comes to theatres July 15th 2005, and millions of children and adults will he lining up on-line to buy tickets all for very different reasons.
One reason Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is among the most highly anticipated films of summer is because Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are attached to what promises to be a wild ride of a movie. Director Tim Burton has brought us some of the most visualiy engaging movies of the past 20 years including Beetlejuice, Batman, Mars Attacks, Planet of the Apes, and Big Fish. Johnny Depp, widely considered the best actor of his generation has captured our imagination in such films as Don Juan DeMarco, Donnie Brasco, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Chocolat, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Oscar nominated Finding Neaverland. In addition to wowing studio audiences and melting hearts all over the world, Johnny Depp h as also served as an erstwhile muse for Tim Burton. The talented pair has teamed up on such memorable films as Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hallow. While they bring extraordinary talent in making this movie, fans of the original have very high expectations.
The beginnings of this movie trace back in to the classis children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. The English author also penned James and the Giant Peach and Danny Champion of the World among other favourites. Dahl‘s books all center around an unlikely childhood hero. He grew up poor but dreaming big, and that is the basis for all of his central characters. In his fictional world, the wildest of dreams come true and the most fantastic of adventures ensue.
The story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is timeless. Young Charlie Bucket comes from a poor English family. He lives in a dingy home with all four of his grandparents and spends most of his time deivering newspapers so he can help out his family. His imagination runs wild when Willy Wonka, the owner and creator of the Wonka Chocolate Company; announces a contest in which five golden tickets have been hidden in chocolate bars sold throughout the country. The lucky kids who find the tickets receive a tour of Wonkas top secret chocolate factory and experience the wonders within. Charlies luck changes when Grandpa buys him it candy bar for his birthday that miraculously holds the fifth golden ticket. Along with four spoiled-brat children, innocent and starry-eyed Charlie gets to tour the factory and meet Mr. Wonka. But nothing could have prepared the children for what lies behind the gates of the Wonka Chocolate Factory. Curiosities are satisfied, challenges are met and life-long lessons are learned in a “world of pure imagination”.
The original movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, showcased Gene Wilder as the demented but loveable candy mogul. Wilder embodied the role, from comedic timing to physical stunts to facial expressions. It’s hard to imaging another actor stepping into those shoes, but if anyone can, its Johnny Depp.
Among the other actors considered for the role of Willy Wonka were Steve Martin. Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Nicolas Cage, Michael Keaton and shock rocker Marilyn Manson. Tim Burton wanted Johnny Depp. After the way he portrayed Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s easy to imaging Depp daftly handling the acid tongue whit of the eccentric candy man. In Doctor Seuss like fashion, Wonka speaks in double talk and riddles. “Chewing gum is really gross. Chewing gum I hate the most”. Tim Burton has a way of bringing the best out of Depp and the actor was excited to sign on for the coveted role. “I think Tim’s making as really amazing film”, Depp told the BBC. “The Wonka experience has been great. It’s great being back with Tim Burton. It’s like coming home. So we’ve been having a great time.”
Another pair of big shoes to fill belongs to the late Jack Albertson, who artfully played Charlie’s lovable Grandpa Joe. That task is bestowed upon Irish comedy actor David Kelly, who is host known for his part in the critically acclaimed film Waking Ned Devine. The original movie captured our imaginations with dream like scenes of colourful candy gardens a chocolate river and quirky machinery. Thanks to the wonders of modern filmmaking and the artistic vision of Tim Burton, this should be well improved upon. Burton’s signature is in his elaborate use of larger than life props, psychedelic colours and cartoon-like landscapes. “A combination of Tim Burton and Roald Dahl is just a match made in heaven, so it is very exciting” Depp said. Burton says he’s wanted to Willy Wonka remake for years, “I responded to the children’s book because its respected that children can be adults and I think adults forget that,” Burton told The Chicago Sun Times. “There can be darkness and sort of foreboding. Very sinister things are very much a part of childhood. I like that sort of humour and emotion put together.”
Tim Burton chose to keep his version of the chassis closer to the book than to the original film. Interestingly he hired a screen writer John August Charlie’s Angles, Big Fish), who’d read the book but had never seen the movie. He wanted it to be authentic and a nod to the stories’ creator. Burton filmed the movie in various locations in England. In addition to Johnny Depp, another muse of Burtons is long time flame Helena Bonham Carter. The English beauty has dazzled in such films as Howards End, A Room with a View, and Burton flicks Planet of the Apes and Big Fish. She plays Charlie Buckets mother who has a bigger part in this version.
One way in which the remake is similar to the original is that both feature relative newcomers in the roles of the 5 children. The original features five no-name fresh- faced actors, and the new version follows that lead. Fourteen year old Freddie Himore plays Charlie Bucket. Johnny Depp was reportedly so impressed with Freddie’s performance in Finding Neverland, that he convinced Tim Burton to cast him as Charlie.
As for casting the other kids, that was up to Burton and casting director Susie Figis. Annasophia Robb, who recently won over movie goers in Because of Winn Dixie, landed the plum role of Violet Beauregarde. The 1 1-year-old from Denvor Colorado was impressed with Johnny Deep’s friendliness on the set of the movie, but says his inspired on-screen performance was at times, terrifying. “I’m not allowed to say very much about the movie, but his character is very creepy from any other Willy Wonka you’ve seen.” she says. “He’s such a normal guy; he treats everyone with the same amount of respect. He invites us to his trailer to make us feel more comfortable with him.”
Philip Wiegratz, a 16 year old from New Mexico, had previously acted in school plays before getting the chance to play the clumsy and plump Augustus Gloop. The role of rambunctious Mike TeeVee, is played by young Jordan Fry, who’s so new there’s no information available on him. Spoiled brat Veruca Salt is also played by first-time actor Julia Winter. The 15 year old London schoolgirl has been the envy of her classmates after scoring a part in a movie with Johnny Depp.
In summing up Burton’s take on the material, the executive producer Richard Zanuck enthuses “This is not meant to be a tear-jerker or an emotionally enveloping story. It does have those elements, but that’s not what its about. It’s pure entertainment, great visuals, and Tim Burton at his imaginative best.”
