It’s undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of the season – and one that could fall victim to the Hollywood actors’ strike. Wonka, the movie the star is watching Timothee Chalamet take on the role of the famous chocolatier, created by Roald Dahl and who had already been brought to the cinema first by Gene Wilder and then by Johnny Depp. However, unlike the two examples just given, in Wonka Timothée Chalamet will not be following the adventures of Willy Wonka as we know them through the novel. Chocolate Factory, but it will tell about the life and adventures that led the boy to become the most famous and beloved chocolatier in the world. However, since the release of the first trailer for the new film, the public’s attention has been divided between the main character and an unexpected character: Hugh grant as an Oompa-Loompa, a creature that helps Wonka in his chocolate factory by performing various tasks.
This is why Hugh Grant was chosen to direct Wonka.
In addition to Hugh Grant coming to play an Oompa Loompa in the highly anticipated Wonka movie, he became a director himself during an interview with Total movie. In an interview with the director Paul King in fact, he explained that he asked Hugh Grant to interpret the colorful creature, sending a letter that he himself described as “strange.” The director’s choice was based on his belief that Hugh Grant would be perfect for the role, and he admitted that he believed there were similarities between the British actor, best known for certain romantic comedies, and the Oompa Loompas featured in novel by Roald Dahl. original book. The director explained:
“I was fascinated by the idea of these incredibly small creatures, certainly smaller than even me as a child. The Oompa Loompa’s voice and behavior came from my repeated reading of the books – long songs full of humor, sarcasm and superiority. So I was really just thinking about the character and realized I needed someone who knows and can be a real piece of shit. And I thought, “Oh, Hugh Grant.” Because he’s the funniest, most sarcastic jerk I’ve ever met. And I had to write him this strange letter in which I said: “You are good at playing these old salami games with no future and no failures…”
Paul King had already worked with Hugh Grant on the second chapter of the book. Paddington – Paddington 2, precisely – that’s why he knew Hugh Grant’s acting and working style very well, so it must have seemed natural to him to approach his colleague with such a strange request. However, Grant seemed to enjoy the project because he accepted the role and agreed to have Framestore “downsize” it digitally. King also revealed that Hugh Grant was always physically present on set to allow Timothée Chalamet to rehearse his lines and to show the entire crew the strange but funny chemistry that developed between them. And on this occasion the director concluded:
“When you see Hugh Grant, 18 inches tall, with orange skin and green hair, you can’t help but think, ‘Oh yeah, I know what an Oompa-Loompa is. It makes sense”.