There seem to be two camps when it comes to remakes, reboots, and prequels. Some film fans will hate anything, no matter the quality, if it’s a remake, reboot, or prequel, just based on principle. Then you have another group that’s willing to give any film a try, hoping for the best. For those in the first camp, you’re going to want to sit down for this.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. has hired a director for a new “Willy Wonka” film. Now, before people storm Warner Bros. with pitchforks and torches, there’s at least a glimmer of hope that this might be better than your typical remake, reboot, or prequel. It looks like Warner Bros. has put together a pretty great team of creators to spearhead this film.
Coming off the acclaimed “Paddington” films, director Paul King has entered final negotiations to helm the new “Willy Wonka.” He’s bringing along producer David Heyman, who worked with King on the aforementioned “Paddington” films. King is working from a script that is written by Simon Rich, who got his start as a staff writer for “Saturday Night Live,” but is perhaps best known as one of the writers for the Disney/Pixar film “Inside Out.”
THR is describing “Willy Wonka” as a “reimagining” of the classic Roald Dahl children’s book, which leads many to believe that this will be a prequel. It doesn’t look like Warner Bros. is interested in attempting a third version of the classic film, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” after the not-so-great Tim Burton 2005 remake. At least, not yet. Clearly, if this new “Willy Wonka” does well, all bets are off the table, as THR says WB is hoping for a franchise.
Normally, the idea of yet another “Willy Wonka” film would make any film fan’s skin crawl. But maybe, just maybe, Paul King is going to hit another one out of the park. No release date has been set for “Willy Wonka.”