A new trailer for the new Willy Wonka fantasy film aptly titled Wonka was released and is the latest talk of the town, mainly due to actor Hugh Grant's appearance in the film that left people slack-jawed.
The movie is based on characters from Roald Dahl's popular children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and serves as a prequel centering on the title character's origin story and showing how he came to be the iconic magician and candymaker.
Timothée Chalamet takes the mantle as the younger version of the beloved chocolatier famously played by Gene Wilder in the original 1971 musical film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Johnny Depp in the 2005 remake named after the book on which it was based.
In the trailer for Wonka, fans were not expecting to see Oompa Loompas–the group of mischievous small characters who are invited by Wonka to work at the factory–since the factory coming to fruition is still in the distant future.
But there was one Oompa Loompa having a significant amount of screentime at the end of the trailer, and it was none other than Notthing Hill actor Hugh Grant.
You can watch the official trailer for Wonka here.
Grant is the recipient of the British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Honorary César among many other accolades.
The esteemed Thespian has appeared in dramatic period films, like Merchant-Ivory's Maurice and The Remains of the Day, and he has demonstrated his sharp comedic skills in rom-coms like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary.
In 2022, Time Out Magazine listed Grant as one of Britain's 50 greatest actors of all time.
So it was understandably jarring for some fans to see Grant dancing awkwardly and then bending over while donning the familiar orange makeup and green pompadour made famous by the Oompa Loompas from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie.
Yes, he is in this.
There were a number of people who were unfazed by his presence in the upcoming film.
One fan is already expecting great things given Grant's comical performance so far.
Some are still trying to let it all sink in.
It was downright terrifying for some.
Wonka is directed and co-written by Paul King–the writer/director of the Paddington films–and is produced by David Heyman who also produced the Harry Potter movies.
In addition to Chalamet and Grant, Wonka also features Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, and Olivia Colman in supporting roles.
The musical fantasy film is scheduled for a December 15, 2023 release in theaters.
