Timothée Chalamet is ‘magnetic’ in ‘sweet’ and ‘whimsical’ chocolate saga

by

Timothée Chalamet transformed into Willy Wonka for Paul King’s prequel of the same name to the beloved character, but that doesn’t mean initial reactions weren’t full of some critics calling the film crazy.

Chalamet stars as a young entrepreneur who wants to build a chocolate empire in the musical film ‘Wonka’. Set 25 years before the events of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, the feature film is considered a ‘companion’ film to the original 1971 Roald Dahl adaptation. Actor Simon Farnaby co-wrote the script with director King and reunited after “Paddington 2.” King previously teased that “Wonka” would tap into the magic of the “golden age of MGM musicals” of the 1940s and 1950s to tell the sweet story.

More from IndieWire

Oscar-nominated star Chalamet didn’t have to audition for the musical after his viral high school raps circulated the Internet and prompted director King to cast the actor as Willy Wonka in the prequel to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Sally Hawkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman and Rowan Atkinson also star alongside Chalamet.

Director King previously spoke of Chalamet’s “voice of an angel” and compared his singing to Bing Crosby. “There’s quite a range because it goes from some bigger, show-stopper type things to moments of real, pure emotion and he can do it all,” King said of Chalamet. “I’m going to sound like a crazy fan.”

Although the Warner Bros. film doesn’t hit theaters until December 15, critics attended the premiere and quickly took to Twitter to share audience reactions. The film is being praised for being a “sweet” installment in the franchise, drawing comparisons to “seeing a live Broadway show!” Chalamet is considered a smart and “magnetic” presence as the titular chocolatier, thanks to director King’s “whimsical” vision. The Oscar-nominated actor is also being celebrated as “both comedian and performer” by singing and dancing in his musical debut.

The consensus that “Wonka” was a pleasant “surprise” of a holiday musical classic certainly adds to the excitement surrounding the new Warner Bros. film.

See more reactions below.

The best of IndieWire

Sign up for the Indiewire newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Leave a Comment