The new prequel Wonka delves into the backstory of the renowned chocolatier, revealing how Willy Wonka first encountered the Oompa Loompas, his loyal sidekick helpers at the fictional chocolate factory.
Our four-star review of the movie praised Hugh Grant's portrayal of the Oompa Loompa, describing it as incredibly entertaining and highlighting how the character teaches Wonka important life lessons. But how exactly did Willy Wonka come to meet the Oompa Loompas? Here's the full story, but be warned – spoilers ahead!
How did Willy Wonka meet the Oompa Loompas?
As Wonka reveals, Willy Wonka first met an Oompa Loompa after he was caught trying to steal chocolate.
When Willy Wonka (played by Timothée Chalamet) is ensnared in Mrs. Scrubbit’s (played by Olivia Colman) laundromat, he confides in Noodle (played by Calah Lane) that a diminutive individual with green hair has been pilfering his chocolate. Noodle reacts with incredulous laughter, prompting Wonka to devise a strategy to apprehend the thief.
Several days later, while Wonka is asleep, a small figure is observed sneaking into his bedroom, headed for a jar of chocolates on the floor. Accidentally triggering a loose floorboard, the jar turns out to be a trap, ensnaring the intruder in another empty jar. The intruder introduces himself as an Oompa Loompa, claiming that he has returned to retrieve what is rightfully his.
Wonka and the Oompa Loompa form an uneasy alliance
The stranger pointed out to Wonka that he once visited Loompa Land and took four Loompa chocolate beans from a tree while an Oompa Loompa named Lofty was supposed to be guarding them. However, Lofty fell asleep and upon waking up, the other Oompa Loompas banished him from Loompa Land until he could retrieve the beans.
Wonka refuses to return the chocolate, claiming he needs it, while Lofty insists on needing one more jar to even the score before disappearing into the night. They cross paths again when Wonka is banished on a boat headed for the Arctic, vowing to never make chocolate again.
The Oompa Loompa, also on the boat, urges Wonka to retaliate against the chocolatiers who ousted him. As they uncover that the boat is rigged with explosives, they split up to save themselves, but not before Wonka is reminded of the debt of one final jar of chocolate.
After being trapped in a chocolate vat and abandoned to their fate by the town's top chocolatiers, it is the Oompa Loompa who saves Wonka and Noodle. Despite the last jar of chocolate being consumed, Wonka fully compensates the Oompa Loompa once the town is free of its sugary-sweet villains.
The Oompa Loompa starts to return to Loompa Land, but Wonka presents an opportunity for him to become the chief taster at his yet-to-be-built chocolate factory. And as the saying goes, the rest is history.
Wonka is in theaters on December 8 in the UK, and December 15 in the U.S. To check out more of Dexerto’s TV and movie coverage, click here.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming prequel Wonka, which delves into the backstory of the enigmatic chocolatier and his connection with the beloved Oompa Loompas. The movie promises to unveil the intriguing journey of Willy Wonka and how he first encountered these loyal sidekick helpers at his fictional chocolate factory.
The four-star review of the movie, particularly praising Hugh Grant's portrayal of the Oompa Loompa, has further piqued my interest. It's intriguing to learn that the character teaches Wonka important life lessons, adding a deeper dimension to their relationship. The story of how Willy Wonka first met the Oompa Loompas, filled with twists and turns, adds an element of adventure and mystery to the film.