According to reports, the motion picture company of "Willy Wonka" has been trying to get their hands on the IP rights since early this year. Eventually, they obtained the rights this fall and another "Willy Wonka" film will hit the big screens soon. But are the "Willy Wonka" fans happy with this report?
Variety reported that the upcoming motion picture will not be an origin tale, but instead a standalone movie focusing on the early adventures of Wonka. It is unknown who from the characters in the book will be involved.
Gene Wilder's fans are not so pleased with the news considering his passing having occurred just two months ago on August 28. His fans made use of social media as a venue to express their outrage.
Here are a couple of replies to Time's twitter report regarding the upcoming movie:
@TIME you can't duplicate/replace Gene Wilder, nothing will ever come close to the original WW
— Son Of A Fisherman (@vuda22) October 19, 2016
@TIME that's such a no — Sexy Marcano (@SexyMarcano) October 19, 2016
Numerous other angry Willy Wonka fans posted the same sentiments on social media to express how upset they are about the news. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was adapted into a feature film in 2005 by the Warner Bros. and director Tim Burton with Willy Wonka having been portrayed by Johnny Depp. Unfortunately, It did not enjoy the same success garnered by the original 1971 film starring Gene Wilder.
@TIME didn't we learn our lesson with Johnny Depp. Gene Wilder is the one and only Willy Wonka. — Paul Zauch (@PaulZauch) October 19, 2016
The cast for the"Willy Wonka" reboot is yet to be announced by Warner Bros. and David Heyman, but they will soon be focusing on the prequel having finished up with 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.'
Roald Dahl published two books in which Willy Wonka appeared: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator." However, he never wrote a book solely for the character of Willy Wonka.
The original "Willy Wonka" actor died of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 83.
