While vaccines and a gradual reopening in certain parts of the world may make it feel as if the pandemic is over, COVID-19 continues to be a serious threat. Point in case: filming onWarner Bros.‘Wonkaprequel has been halted due to one of the film’s stars testing positive for COVID-19.
Wonka, a prequel to Roald Dahl’s 1964 beloved classic novelCharlie and the Chocolate Factory,will be directed by Paul King, who is known for his work on critically acclaimed children’s filmsPaddingtonandPaddington 2.TheWarner Bros.prequel will explore Willy Wonka’s early years before he meets the Oompa Loompas and becomes the well-known eccentric owner of the famous chocolate factory, and it will also be the first entry in a cinematic universe featuring well-known Dahl characters.
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Based on reports from The Sun, production onthe Willy Wonka prequel filmwill be stopped for five days as the cast and crew, including star Timothée Chalamet, self-isolate. Reports indicate that the positive test occurred this past Thursday on the Warner Bros. set. “Despite the strict Covid protocols everyone had been abiding with, as soon as there was a positive test on Thursday the whole production shut down immediately as bosses didn’t want to take any chances,” one source added. “There’s a huge amount of money tied up in filming so any delays can become incredibly costly. On-site medical staff are monitoring the situation and won’t make anyone come back until it’s safe.” The majority of the filming so far has been taking place at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
After casting rumors were brewing for quite a while as to who would be in the titular role, singing and dancing (with big names like Ryan Gosling, Donald Glover, and Ezra Miller all in talks), Chalamet was eventually cast in May 2021, with principal photography beginning the following September in London. Chalamet took to social media last month to sharethe first glimpse at Willy Wonkain the prequel, hinting that his portrayal will be closely related to Gene Wilder’s 1971 version. The Oscar-nominated star is already having quite the year, leading Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epicDuneand starring in Wes Anderson’s indie projectThe French Dispatch, while also set to appear in Netflix’s star-studded ensemble,Don’t Look Up.
In addition, big names such as Olivia Colman (The Crown, The Favourite, MCU’s Secret Invasion), Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), andSally Hawkins (The Shape of Water)will also be joining Chalamet in undisclosed roles. King will be co-writing alongsidePaddington 2’sSimon Farnaby, whilePaddingtonandHarry Potter’s David Heyman will serve as producer. OtherPaddingtonalumni that will star inWonkainclude Tom Davis, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Mathew Baynton, Jim Carter, and Rich Fulcher. The film will include original songs written by the band The Divine Comedy.
Wonkais currently set to be released in theaters on March 17th, 2023.
