Why We Simply Cannot Wait for the New Wonka Movie!
| BY DANIEL ROTHSTEIN
Of all the new movies 2023 has to offer, there is one in particular that really sparks our interest. We’re of course talking about the brand new Timothée Chalamet movie: Wonka. This film will serve as a prequel to the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory universe, originally created by Roald Dahl. This movie is not based on any prior book or film, so it will be offering us a completely new story and we simply cannot wait for it to come out in theaters!
Not only do we think this movie will be an entertaining foray into the life and times of an aspiring candy maker, but we think the film will also offer a healthy cultural boost to the candy industry as a whole. While we all enjoy eating candy at the movies, now we’ll get to enjoy a movie that’s all about our favorite thing in the whole wide world… Candy!
Warner Bros Pictures has slated the release date of the movie for December 15th, 2023. This will be the first time we’ve seen the famous candy maker on the big screen since 2005, when Johnny Depp took on the role of Willy Wonka in Tim Burton’s own take on Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
As dedicated candy enthusiasts, our excitement for this film knows no bounds! After all, the classic 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the quintessential movie about the wonderous, magical world of candy! This classic motion picture has undoubtedly sent countless generations of kids into their own world of pure imagination.
Gene Wilder’s portrayal of the eccentric and reclusive candy maker, Willy Wonka, is perhaps one of the most remarkable acting performances in any children’s movie just about ever. With this new cinematic entry in 2023, we are confident that the film will carve out a distinct and cherished corner in the hearts of both the young, and the young at heart!
Wonka 2023 Features a Star-Studded Cast of Hollywood A-List Talent
Plenty of Timothée Chalamet movies have delighted audiences in recent years. His portrayal of Paul Atreides in 2021’s Dune certainly helped cement his place as an A-List celebrity talent. With his new role as the titular chocolate maker, early fan reactions to the trailer have noted how he just might be the perfect balance between both Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp’s unique depictions of Willy Wonka. Of course, we expect Chalamet to bring his own distinctive charm into the role.
To fill out the cast, plenty of amazing stars are attached to the 2023 film: Mr. Bean himself – Rowan Atkinson, Keegan Michael Key, Olivia Coleman, Freya Parker and a slew of other fine actors are slated to round-out the star-studded cast. But, perhaps the most exciting on this list is the Hugh Grant Oompa Loompa, who’s appearance in the first trailer really stole the show! Check it out for yourself:
Shifting our focus to the creative minds behind Wonka, one individual who clearly stands out is Paul King – the director of the film. King's previous accomplishments include helming the last two critically acclaimed Paddington movies.
This is a huge deal, considering Paddington 2 had the honor of being the highest-reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes at the time. It scored a whopping 100% on critic’s reviews on the site, and this is a feat that is practically unheard of in the movie industry.
This has led many online to dub Paddington 2 as the “Greatest Movie of All Time”. Yes, it even beat-out Citizen Kane with its audience and critic’s scores! With that astonishing feat under his belt, we have high hopes for King’s creative journey into the “Wonkaverse”.
Yet another aspect of Wonka that adds to our optimism is the strategic move made by Warner Bros, rescheduling the film's release from March to December of 2023. This shift positions the movie to coincide with the festive Christmas season – a period when studios often unveil films they believe have the potential to contend for prestigious awards, including The Oscars.
This maneuver may suggest that the upcoming Wonka movie holds promise beyond the boundaries of our imagination, perhaps further hinting at a cinematic spectacle that just might vastly transcend audience’s expectations.
As we look ahead to this Christmas season, we anticipate being treated to a cinematic experience that combines satisfying musical numbers with a flood of sweet cinematic nostalgia. The movie theaters are set to come alive with the childlike wonder that Wonka promises to deliver, leaving audiences enchanted and perhaps even more fervently captivated by the magic of candy in the process.
Why We Think the Wonka Movie Will Significantly Benefit the Candy Industry
A movie such as Wonka that is centered around the world of candy, can offer numerous benefits to the candy industry as a whole. That holds true, even if the movie is a pure work of fiction. The nostalgia and emotional connection that will come about from this movie as we explore perhaps the most popular fictional candy maker of all time is sure to help increase demand for candy products, and most notably, the stories that exist behind them.
Nearly everyone loves candy and can relate to the excitement of going into a candy store, and we think this movie will really bring that feeling home to audiences across the globe. When they go to their local sweet shops and see candy that is reminiscent of what they saw in the movie, they’re likely begin associating them with the movie’s playful and joyful atmosphere.
Media enterprises like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have the power to evoke deep emotional connections to an audience and this can generate some truly heartfelt nostalgia that can carry on, well into old age.
I still remember the magic I felt when I first watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on TV in the 1980’s. Growing up in the candy industry myself, I felt a deep connection to the movie, and I still feel a sense of awe and wonderment when I think of all the cool things Mr. Wonka had in his factory.
When we were kids, our father, Stan Rothstein would sometimes bring home samples of new candy products for us to try. One I distinctly remember was called Snot, that came in a big plastic nose and when you squeezed it, green candy jelly that looked like snot would come out. Sometimes we had enough to share with the other kids in our neighborhood, and let me tell you, this made me and my brothers quite popular! I always imagined that must be what Willy Wonka felt like all the time!
With all the buzz and excitement that is building up around the release of Wonka, people will be discussing the film (and their favorite candies) online. Just as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory grew to become a bonafide cult classic, we have high hopes that 2023’s Wonka will continue to delight audiences for decades yet to come.
Who knows? It may even inspire an entirely new generation of confectioners to follow their dreams and create something sweet for the whole world to enjoy! The captivating narrative of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory has always held the power to plant the seeds of imagination and innovation.
The candy industry is uniquely positioned to welcome newcomers with open arms. With just a hundred dollars and a brilliant idea, almost anyone can delve into crafting original confections and embark on their journey in the candy business. This inclusive and creative landscape is something we hold dear at Redstone Foods. We are always eagerly seeking out new product innovations and experiences that can infuse a touch of magic and joy into the lives of candy enthusiasts around the globe.
As we patiently await the release of Wonka and its undoubtedly magical portrayal of the candy world, we remain committed to celebrating the spirit of imagination, innovation, and delight that the candy industry embodies. Just as Willy Wonka's fantastical creations have charmed generations, we too strive to bring the enchantment of sweet treats to life in every delightful bite.
If you would like to join our community of candy enthusiasts, please sign up for an account with us today, or give us a call! Redstone Foods is America’s favorite candy distributor!
