Johnny Depp WILL be Willy Wonka

[Khephra]

Burton No Fan Of Wonka

Tim Burton, who will direct Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, told SCI FI Wire that he has no great love for the first film adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's book, 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. "I find odd, because it's overly sweet when it shouldn't be, and it's really dark when it's really weird, so I found it to be almost exactly wrong in some ways," Burton said in an interview.

Burton said that he is awaiting a script before revealing details of his version of the beloved story. But he confirmed earlier reports that he will cast Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. "I love working with him," Burton said. "I've worked with him three times. He's my friend. always surprises . I like these kind of actors don't care how they look. They're just willing, and there's a freedom to that and an excitement that I get from that. people are like, 'Wait, my light's not right,' or 'I'm not coming out of my trailer until this happens or that.' are people ready to go."

Warner Brothers plans to release Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005.

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-main.html?2003-11/26/12.00.film

[Character Assassin]

1. Why? STOP REMAKING OLD MOVIES!

There's a reason it's considered a classic: it was so good when it was made, it didn't need any goddamn changes.

Jesus, people, when are we going to see 'Match Game '76: the Movie'?

[Khephra]

4. The film was actually WAY off of the book

That's why. I'm sure you have a book in your mind that was made into a film and not done "right". Wonka was much, much darker than we saw in the original film. I'm actually eager for this remake.

[Terran]

7. Burton is right, though

The original *is* a bit too sweet for the somewhat dark, sarcastic vision of the book (though I still like it for its big hollywood musical character). I'm looking forward to a remake by Burton, he's perfect for it. Johnny Depp rules, too.

Dirk

[henslee]

10. its about the money and the branding, parner.....

thats why scifi channel rehashed dune and now battlestar gallactica. its why charlies angels was made.... movies are too much money to make now and companies want a built in audience....

Love your match game idea...... charles nelson riley is the man.

[Character Assassin]

11. True, but he's no Paul Lynde. Who will play J.P. Morgan?

[ronzo]

2. 3 times?

"Edward Scissorhands" is a gimme... I think Burton directed "Sleepy Hollow".. what would be the third?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

3. Ed Wood.

[ronzo]

15. Ahhh. thank you, Screaming Lord Byron. n/t

[joeybee12]

5. God in Heaven--save us from Tim Burton's "Vision"

The first movie is a classic--leave it to Burton to try and warp it. He's fine with some stuff, but he has no business trying to delve into children's fare.

[Catch22Dem]

6. Yes remake it!

Especially with Depp, who I think is great!

I thought the original movie sucked ass. Even though I love Gene Wilder, the movie just sucked.

[joeybee12]

8. You must be totally heartless!

Only kidding. I think it's what a kid's movie should be--sweet. Anyway, even if it wasn't close to the book, it stands on its own.

Burton and Depp are really whacked out in my humble opinion (met Burton a while back) and they will just make a mess of this.

[skibunny4dean]

9. It's not a remake

It's a totally new movie with no ties to the old one. I like the old movie, but this one will be cool just because Depp and Burton are doing it.

[henslee]

13. it must be a "reimagining" of the story... i love when they use this term.

bottom line..... you will never get the oompa loompas as right as they got them in the first one.

[Elidor]

12. This is interesting

Because Roald Dahl wrote the screenplay as well as the book. And he did a superb job. Obviously, he was pressured to sugar-coat his story, but it was nevertheless a near-classic. Perhaps it is a classic. I can't think of anything that quite compares with it.

Burton would be my first choice to redo the story, but no - I don't see that big a need to redo it. I'm fresh from the rape of Cat in the Hat, and Hollywood is baaaaaaad. Burton has beautiful vision, but trying to outdo the original is a losing game. How do you top Gene Wilder? He OWNS Willy Wonka! I'm not surprised Burton doesn't have his heart in it. And now that he has admitted it, what reason can there be to watch it except to watch the car-wreck of a good filmmaker with an impossible project? It sounds like a turkey already.

That said, Depp is always a plus. Great actor when he works with a good director.

[Parche]

14. my favorite movie

Come with me, and we'll be, in a world of pure imagination!!!!

[Nlighten1]

16. I have no love for Tim Burton

Never have forgiven him for the first Batman.

[Nikia]

17. I'll have to read the book

I rented the movie the other day. I like the part at the end when Charlie gives back the gobbstopper after Wonka goes off. I don't like it that's what he had in mind all along. It would be better if Wonka would have been truly moved by the deed rather than it actually being a test.

[tigereye]

18. Dahl's books are really intense, more intense than you would expect.

I think that's why kids love them so much. I missed them when I was young... too old I think, but we have read many of them to my son. If you think Wonka is intense and dark, you should read The Witches and Mathilda!

BTW, I love Tim Burton movies, especially Ed Wood and Nightmare before Christmas. There is such an intense sweet beauty and wistfulness to his films. And I have rarely seen a movie with Johnny Depp in it that I disliked, and not just because he is so sexy. I think he is an amazing actor.

[Khephra]

19. Agreed

I think any other dir/actor combo would have me yelling about it. But a D/B combo should be made.

[Deja Q]

20. That sums up his movies, oddly!

"I like these kind of actors don't care how they look. They're just willing..."

Um, that's why so much in the industry is crap. Even when it has potential, some big-name jackass who hasn't a flipping clue gets the part when a B-level actor would likely do a far better job. x(

Oh, but I forgot, this is America. Money means more than potential...

There are certain exceptions, but tell me again who in Hollywuss today is a big name... :D