Timothée Chalamet Was Worried That ‘Wonka’ Could Be a ‘Cynical Money Grab’ – The Hollywood Reporter

Timothée Chalamet

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Timothée Chalamet revealed that he was a bit skeptical at first Wonka It was a “satirical money grab” amid the recent reboot trend in Hollywood.

The actor who plays the legendary chocolatier recently spoke with GamesRadar+ About the musical centering on young Willy Wonka and how he met the Oompa Loompas on one of his first adventures.

“Like a lot of people, when there are remakes, I feel very protective of the original character and the versions that you love,” Chalamet said. “Doubts are mounting as to whether this is a legitimate and worthwhile story or a cynical money grab.”

But once he read the first three pages of the script, Sand dunes The star knew the Paul King-directed film was something special in itself.

“‘Hat Full of Dreams’ was in there,” he said, referring to the film’s opening musical number. “And there was no music to it, but the lyrics were very clever. (It’s) about this young man, Willie, who was certainly not the crazy, sarcastic, exhausted, brainless version that we see in the previous two films but he was very optimistic, young, ambitious, who wouldn’t take no for granted.” “Something-for an answer, maybe a little naive. I think that’s very clever.”

The king said earlier Rolling Stone that Chalamet did not have to audition for the role of Willy Wonka because “he was the only person in my mind who could do it.” now, Lady Bird The actor also admitted that he wasn’t necessarily looking for an all-singing, all-dancing role at the time.

“I love musical theater and I love singing and dancing,” Chalamet explained. “And I love the old, original Fred Astaire movies Charlie and the Chocolate Factory With Gene Wilder. I didn’t think I’d get the chance to do it, not this way. But Paul King is one of those directors you can’t say no to.

Wonka It hits theaters on December 15.