Summary
Back in 2013, iconic actor and comedian Gene Wilder revealed what he thought about Tim Burton’s movie adaptation,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and his opinions were far from positive. From 1961 to 2005,Gene Wilder had a successful career as a Hollywood actor, writer, and filmmaker. In 1971, he starred inWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,and now, it’s widely considered to be one ofGene Wilder’s best movies. This was the very first on-screen adaptation of the classic children’s book by Roald Dahl.
Since being published in 1964, Dahl’sCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryhas receivednumerous Willy Wonka adaptations. Though Gene Wilder’s movie was the first, other projects have followed, including Tim Burton’s adaptation in 2005 and the more recent Willy Wonka origin story, 2023’sWonka.Each iteration of this beloved tale adds something new to the story, yetnot everyone has been a fan of theCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryfilms. In fact, Gene Wilder made a rare appearance in 2013 and told interviewers exactly what he thought about Tim Burton’sCharlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The 30 Best Willy Wonka Quotes Ever
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic, and packed with perfect quotes and one-liners. Here are Willy Wonka’s best quotes ever.
Gene Wilder Didn’t Agree With Remaking Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory’s Success Versus Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’s
When asked about 2005’sCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryremake, Gene Wilder revealed that he thought the new movie was “an insult.“Wilder’s main argument was that he didn’t understand why Hollywood needed to go back and make the same movie over again. He said, “It’s all about money. It’s just some people sitting around thinking: ‘How can we make some more money?'” (viaHuffPost.)Despite Tim Burton’s fresh new take,Wilder felt thatCharlie and the Chocolate Factorywas just a cash grab.
In 1971,Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factorygrossed $4 million on a $3 million budget.
Whether that was the case or not, the effort paid off. In 1971,Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factorygrossed $4 million on a $3 million budget. Though the movie is incredibly popular and has a long-lasting legacy, it didn’t actually perform very well at the box office. On the other hand,Charlie and the Chocolate Factorywas an overwhelming success. On a budget of $150 million, the 2005 film made $475 million at the box office. This is an exponential increase from Gene Wilder’s movie, making his argument somewhat valid. The filmmakers did make significantly more money the second time around.
What Gene Wilder Has Said About Tim Burton’s Willy Wonka Remake
Tim Burton’s Willy Wonka Changes Explained
Gene Wilder also had a few comments aboutCharlie and the Chocolate FactoryversusWilly Wonkaand the Chocolate Factory. Wilder noted that he thought Johnny Depp was a good actor, but revealed thathe wasn’t a fan of Tim Burton’s choices. Wilder explained, “He’s a talented man, but I don’t care for him doing stuff like he did.” In this way, Wilder not only resented whyCharlie and the Chocolate Factorywas made, but also disliked the direction Tim Burton took it in.
Every Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Movie
Willy Wonka & and the Chocolate Factory
1971
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005
Wonka
2023
Notably, Tim Burton’sCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryis highly stylized. Burton gave the movie a very slick and colorful ambiance, and made the movie’s most iconic moments even more intense and out there. Of course, Burton’s style is not for everyone, butCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryis one ofBurton’s most successful films. Regardless, of Gene Wilder’s opinions,Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryhas an impressive legacy of its own.
Cast
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The 2005 film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel, directed by Tim Burton. It follows a young boy, Charlie Bucket, who wins a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, a fantastical realm overseen by the eccentric candy maker played by Johnny Depp.
