Willy Wonka Fans Weigh in on Character's New Look for Timothee Chalamet's Prequel Movie
Why Young?
I don’t need a sexy young Willy Wonka movie. Show me a wicked old, retired Wonka, on an unstoppable killing spree in his nursing home. Taking down seniors left and right with poisoned Werthers and booby-trapped pudding cups.
— Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) October 11, 2021
Many people thought that a prequel about a young Wonka was an odd choice, and questioned who the target audience of such a project was. They proposed other additions to the franchise that they felt were more fitting.
prevnextSex Sells
In this one, Wonka fucks. https://t.co/pZOvmC7RsO
— Ben Schwartz (@rejectedjokes) October 10, 2021
the sexification of willy wonka needs to stop.
— Emma 🦷 (@emmalangevin) October 10, 2021
Chalamet has half the world swooning thanks to his early rom-com appearances, so he strikes many people as an odd choice for Wonka. However, others argued that Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp were also both considered sex symbols in their days.
prevnextZendaya
TIMDAYA MY PEOPLE FOREVER 😭😭😭 https://t.co/M1sKDODaqz
— ًgigi (@fiImdaya) October 10, 2021
Fans who are following Chalamet's personal life were quick to wonder what his friend, colleague and likely girlfriend Zendaya had to say about this costume. They found myriad ways to interpret her one-word comment on Instagram: "Absolutely."
prevnextFavorite Wonka
gene wilder is the only valid willy wonka pic.twitter.com/yLgTCLo83S
— reiss "reissecup" ecup (@reissecupalt) October 10, 2021
I love Gene Wilder & Johnny Depp’s takes on Willy Wonka but I think that Timothée Chalamet looks absolutely fabulous as a young Willy Wonka! pic.twitter.com/9myh8olUs1
— Josh ❤️ Venom & Carnage #BlackLivesMatter (@supermangeek101) October 11, 2021
Fans were quick to establish their new lineup of favorite Wonka actors, and in general, Wilder seemed to be at the top. However, Depp had some die-hard followers, and of course, some were already prepared to put Chalamet up high as well.
prevnextEdits
fixed it pic.twitter.com/6Liej8MxDs
— ʚ indi ɞ the JIMINTOBER enthusiast (@nanamindi) October 10, 2021
Some fans put together hasty edits to correct this teaser image to their taste — often inserting longer hair to match their vision of Wonka.
prevnextGrandpa Joe
Grandpa Joe prequel is a Cronenberg style horror story about how he removes the legs of his in-laws and chains them to the bed so he never has to be alone again.
— Dan Sandler (@Danielsand) October 11, 2021
Fans thought that a prequel about Charlie's grandparents might be more interesting, though a bit more dark. They figured it would explain how all four of them ended up so sick and why they all sleep in one large bed together.
prevnextGonzo
Chalamet's Wonka owes a lot I'm just saying pic.twitter.com/rGULV8tb6j
— Oculus Imperia's Carnivale Macabre (@OculusImperia) October 10, 2021
Finally, more than a few people thought Chalamet's costume here was familiar not from the Willy Wonka franchise, but from The Muppet Christmas Carol, where Gonzo wore an eerily similar hat and jacket combination.
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