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Willy Wonka is a British-American fantasy musical media franchise based on the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by British author Roald Dahl. It includes three live-action theatrical films and one direct-to-video animated special. The franchise follows the adventures of various children who win golden tickets to visit the mysterious chocolate factory of the eccentric and secretive Willy Wonka, a genius inventor and chocolatier.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a musical film adaptation of the novel, directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder as Wonka. The film was produced by David L. Wolper and Stan Margulies, with a screenplay by Dahl himself. It features songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, including the iconic "Pure Imagination" and "The Candy Man". The film was a moderate success at the box office but gained a cult following over the years. It is widely regarded as a classic of children's cinema and one of Wilder's best performances.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a film adaptation of the novel, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Wonka. The film was produced by Brad Grey and Richard D. Zanuck, with a screenplay by John August. It features songs by Danny Elfman, based on the lyrics from the novel. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $475 million worldwide. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design. The film was praised for its faithful adaptation of the novel, its visual style, and its performances, especially by Depp and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket.
Wonka is a prequel film to the gene wilder 1971 film focusing on the origin story of Willy Wonka, and serves as the first film of the "Roald Dahl Cinematic Universe". The film is directed by Paul King and produced by David Heyman, with a screenplay by Simon Farnaby and King. It stars Timothée Chalamet as Wonka, Olivia Colman as Mrs. Scrubbit, and Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa. The film is a musical fantasy, featuring songs written by Neil Hannon and music composed by Joby Talbot. It was released on December 15, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film explores the wondrous story of how Wonka became the world's greatest inventor, magician, and chocolate maker.
Television specials[]
Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2017)[]
Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a direct-to-video animated parody, based on the 1971 film and featuring the characters of Tom and Jerry. The film was directed by Spike Brandt and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It features the voice talents of JP Karliak as Wonka, Jess Harnell as Grandpa Joe, and Emily O'Brien as Violet Beauregarde, among others. The film follows the plot of the 1971 film, with Tom and Jerry added as comic relief. It received mostly negative reviews from critics and fans, who criticized its animation quality, its lack of originality, and its disrespect for the source material.
Trivia[]
Even after Netflix's acquisition of Roald Dahl Studios. Warner Bros. Entrainment Inc will continue to own the rights to Willy Wonka, along with The Gremlins and The Witches.
Willy Wonka is not the only franchise that Warner Bros. acquired from Paramount Pictures. The Popeye the Sailor Man cartoons and the live-action film were developed by Paramount and King Features. After the merger between Time Warner and Turner, Warner Bros. became the owner of Popeye the Sailor Man through Turner Entertainment.
