Summary
Wonka director Paul King has addressed the possibility of a sequel film, which could be inspired by author Roald Dahl’s unreleased work. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as the titular Willy Wonka, provides a look at the character’s rise to fame as a renowned chocolate maker. Arriving in theaters on December 15, 2023, the movie provides an original backstory to the classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character.
Speaking with Total Film (via GamesRadar) King talked about how a sequel to the Wonka movie is possible, and could pull from unreleased work Dahl wrote. However, the director also contrasted the film with another movie starring Chalamet, Dune, saying Wonka will be a standalone film that doesn’t set up any sequels. Check out what King had to say below:
Dahl was definitely interested in taking Willy Wonka on. There’s drafts that didn’t really go anywhere, and there’s a short story. He didn’t really write sequels, but this was the one book where he clearly felt there was more in the tank there. There’s an awful lot more Wonka story that we have that we would like to tell. It’s not like Dune: Part One where you go, ‘This is what’s happening in Part Two.’ Hopefully it works exquisitely as a stand-alone movie. But I would definitely like to do more. And I’d like to spend more time in this world, and meet some more Oompa Loompas.
What Could Wonka 2 Look Like?
Because Wonka will be exploring Willy Wonka’s backstory, it’s unclear how a sequel would be able to continue that story. Since King has confirmed the film won’t be explicitly leaving any doors open for a follow-up, it’s unclear if a sequel would be possible. Since the film hasn’t been released yet, there’s no concrete information as to how Wonka ends, meaning there’s no way of knowing where a sequel would take the story.
One easy route for a sequel would be another Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remake, with Wonka recast using an older actor. The new movie could also lead into an adaptation of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Dahl’s sequel novel that has never been adapted into film or TV. However, any option that involves remaking or adapting one of Dahl’s existing stories would likely see Chalamet leave the role of Wonka.
Despite Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa casting controversy, a backstory for the characters could also be a creative tale to pursue. Even so, it would also be an option where Chalamet’s Wonka may be on the sidelines. It is nearly impossible to gauge what a follow-up film would look like without knowing how the story of the first plays out. It appears only King truly knows what a sequel to Wonka would focus on, and what stories would inspire it.
Source: Total Film (via GamesRadar)
