Wonkadirector Paul King gives an optimistic update to the 2023 movie sequel’s status, including a progress update on the script and a potential plot point. As a musical prequel to Roald Dahl’s influential novelCharlie and the Chocolate Factory,the movie tells the story of how a young Willy Wonka (Timothee Chalamet) sets out to revolutionize candy-making and break a corrupt monopoly with nothing but ingenious recipes and a heartfelt promise. Released to positive acclaim,Wonkawas a box-office successand entered the top 10 highest-grossing features of the year.
As King attended the premiere ofPaddington in Peru,Hey U Guyscaught up with the franchise’s former director to ask what the current status ofWonka’s sequel is.
King stated that work on the movie was still in its early days, revealing that theWonka 2script in its current form only consisted of half of an initial draft. Despite being in its earliest incarnation, King did assure that he had a clear idea for where he hoped the sequel would take the next chapter of Willy’s life.
We’re very early, I mean we’ve got about half of a draft. So, we’ve got a story that we like, and we know where we want to take him.
The director also teased that he hoped to takeWonka 2out of the city and take the character on a globe-trotting adventure.
I’ll attempt to get some international travel in it. So maybe that’s the only tease I’ll give. But hopefully, I’ll get some air miles off this one.
What King’s Tease Reveals About The Future of Wonka
The Prequel Teased A Far More Fantastical World Than Viewers Expected
WhileWonka’s ending set the chocolatieron the path to becoming the character met by Charlie Bucket in the original novel andheavily alluded to Chalamet’s Wonka becoming Gene Wilder’s 1971 portrayal, the movie laced its story with hints towards a wilder world ready to be explored. Wonka’s chocolates are created by many exotic ingredients, and while the movie depicts him taking Giraffe milk from the city zoo, the members of the Chocolate Cartel are in possession of Yeti sweat. As such, it is clear that there is a fantastical world beyond the city, ready for Willy to explore and find new ingredients.
Is Wonka A Prequel? Confusing Franchise Connections Explained
Perhaps the biggest question about 2023’s Wonka is whether the Timothée Chalamet-led film is a prequel to 1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Furthermore, the movie left the redemption of Lofty the Oompa Loompa (Hugh Grant) unfulfilled. Exiled until he brings Wonka home to face retribution for his theft of cocoa beans under his watch,Lofty forgoes heading home in the end to become Wonka’s chief tasting chef. If Chalamet is set to become something closer to Wilder’s Wonka, a sequel could see a journey to Lofty’s homeland tackle his redemption and explain how more Oompa Loomas came under his employ.
Our Thoughts On King’s Wonka 2 Update
The 2023 Movie’s Success Could Make The Filmmaker Eager To Experiment
Wonkawas an unlikely hit in 2023, as audiences were divided on how to feel about the prequel story upon announcement and throughout its marketing cycle. Nevertheless, the movie’s surprise success has made it an incredibly promising property to explore, andKing has been open about his hopes to expand this worldand bring the story closer to Dahl’s tale since the movie first began promotion.
Every Original Song In Wonka, Ranked
One of the best parts of the new Wonka movie is its lavish musical numbers and catchy new tunes. This whimsical gem is full of great original songs.
As such, many may be relieved to hear that despite development being in its early days,Wonka 2has a set trajectoryin mind throughout the writing process. And now that King has proven audiences are eager to dive into this world of pure imagination, he may feel confident to lean more into the fantastical in the future.
Wonka
Cast
Wonka is a prequel film to Roald Dahl’s classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and follows the origins of the legendary candy maker. From his first encounter with the Oompa Loompas to founding his deliciously magnificent headquarters, Wonka explores the character in a new light. Timothee Chalamet assumes the role of Willy Wonka himself.
