In the early stages of "Wonka," Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling, Tom Holland, and Ezra Miller were all considered to play the eccentric chocolatier. However, it was eventually decided that Timothée Chalamet was the right actor to don Willy Wonka's iconic top hat.
Chalamet is one of the greatest talents of his generation, wowing audiences in titles like "Dune," "Little Women," and "Call Me By Your Name." Speaking about his character at 2023's CinemaCon, Chalamet promised a new take on the classic character. While the actor believes that Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp portrayed Wonka with a bit more cynicism, Chalamet says his candymaker is "a Willy that's full of joy and hope and desire to become the greatest chocolatier." So will be starring alongside Chalamet?
Well, Sally Hawkins is playing Willy Wonka's mother. This will mark Hawkins' third collaboration with "Wonka" director Paul King, as she previously starred in both of his "Paddington" movies. Paterson Joseph will reportedly be playing Arthur Slugworth, a rival chocolatier, and you've no doubt seen Joseph before in projects such as "The Leftovers," "Æon Flux," and "Law & Order: U.K." We also know that Olivia Colman of "The Favourite" is set to star, and we can also expect to see Mr. Bean himself, Rowan Atkinson. Perhaps most interestingly, rom-com legend Hugh Grant will be playing an Oompa-Loompa.
Famed comedian Keegan-Michael Key will also appear, as will Jim Carter of "Downton Abbey," Matt Lucas of "The Great British Bake Off," Natasha Rothwell of "The White Lotus," Simon Farnaby of "Ghosts," and Rakhee Thakrar of "Sex Education," among others. Audiences will also get to see Calah Lane of "The Day Shall Come" as Wonka's young friend, Noodle, who seems to be the second main character of the movie.
