Wonka Director Paul King Reveals Direct Reference to 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

The Visual Inspiration from the 1971 Original

The 2023 prequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Paul King, draws direct inspiration from the 1971 original film as its main point of visual focus. This includes the design of the Oompa-Loompa portrayed by Hugh Grant and the use of the song 'Pure Imagination' as a recurring motif, sung by Timothée Chalamet's Willy Wonka near the end of the movie.

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka grinning in Grandpa Joe, Charlie, and Willy Wonka standing in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, King discussed some of the references from the 1971 movie that he wanted to flesh out. One of these references is the Big Night Out Chocolate, which directly refers to Violet Beauregarde's three-course chewing gum in the original film.

King expressed that he wanted the prequel to sit alongside the 1971 movie, incorporating many little gestures and movements from the original film. These include the iconic line 'Scratch that, reverse it' and the visual performance of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka with his cane and banister, all of which are used to hint at Chalamet's character eventually becoming the iconic Willy Wonka.

Celebrating the Legacy of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

While the upcoming Wonka prequel focuses on drawing the origin of the titular chocolate maker's prowess, it also directly references Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in various ways. The film reinterprets many lines from the original movie, celebrates the enduring legacy of the 1971 film, and incorporates clever references to iconic moments.

One of the memorable references in the prequel is the reenactment of a key line from the 1971 film, cleverly integrated into a scene involving Grant's Oompa Loompa. Additionally, the movie includes a clever nod to the original by having the Chief of Police reference Willy Wonka as 'the Candyman,' a callback to the Candyman song from the 1971 film.

The prequel also introduces the third actor to portray Willy Wonka on the big screen, Timothée Chalamet, following the performances of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp in the 1971 and 2005 adaptations, respectively. This further emphasizes the connection to the enduring legacy of the original film.

The Future of Wonka and the Enduring Legacy

The direct references to the 1971 original film in the upcoming Wonka prequel showcase director Paul King's love for the source material and the enduring legacy of the original movie and Roald Dahl's book. This love and appreciation for the source material is evident through the incorporation of iconic moments and clever nods to the original film.

As the prequel prepares to introduce a new generation to the world of Willy Wonka, it also leaves room for potential future installments in the Wonka franchise. The exploration beyond the book and the 1971 movie, including the lead up to Willy Wonka's eventual introduction to Charlie and the passing of his chocolate factory, presents exciting possibilities for the franchise's continuation.