Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a media franchise based on the 1964 novel of the same name by British author Roald Dahl. It includes two novels, three live-action theatrical films, three video games and miscellaneous other properties, such as touring musicals and theatrical adaptations, various merchandise and defunct amusement park ride.
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | |
|---|---|
 Official logo for the 2005 film adaptation. | |
| Created by | Roald Dahl |
| Original work | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) |
| Owner | Warner Bros. Entertainment |
| Print publications | |
| Novel(s) | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972) Charlie and the Christmas Factory (2024) |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) |
|
| Direct-to-video | Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2017) |
| Theatrical presentations | |
| Musical(s) | Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka (2004) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2013) |
| Games | |
| Video game(s) | |
| Audio | |
| Soundtrack(s) |
|
| Original music | Pure Imagination (1971) The Candy Man (1971) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Theme park attraction(s) | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride (2006-2015) |
| Candy brand | The Willy Wonka Candy Company (1971-2015; today named Nestlé Candy Shop) |
| Confections | Wonka Bar Everlasting Gobstopper |
| Unlicensed attraction | Willy’s Chocolate Experience |
Novels
editCharlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964)
editCharlie and the Chocolate Factory is a children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was first published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in 1964 and in the United Kingdom by George Allen & Unwin in 1967.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972)
editCharlie and the Great Glass Elevator is the sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, continuing the story of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka as they travel in the Great Glass Elevator. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator was first published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf in 1972, and in the United Kingdom by George Allen & Unwin in 1973.
Unfinished third novel
editA follow-up to the novel was planned, called Charlie in the White House. Charlie's family and Mr. Wonka are invited by President Gilligrass to have dinner at the White House, as thanks for rescuing the spacecraft from its attack by the Vermicious Knids. Dahl only wrote the first chapter, which is on display at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden.[1]
Charlie and the Christmas Factory
editIn 2024, the publication of a collection of twelve short stories based on several Roald Dahl stories was announced.[2] The short continuation novels would be authored by Sibéal Pounder (who wrote the novelisation of Wonka[3]) and others including Elle McNicoll, Greg James, Adam Kay, Adam Hills, Ben Bailey Smith and Konnie Huq.
Films
edit| Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriter(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | June 30, 1971 | Mel Stuart | Roald Dahl | Stan Margulies & David L. Wolper |
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | July 15, 2005 | Tim Burton | John August | Brad Grey & Richard D. Zanuck |
| Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory | June 27, 2017 | Spike Brandt | Gene Grillo | Spike Brandt & Tony Cervone |
| Wonka | December 15, 2023 | Paul King | Paul King & Simon Farnaby | Luke Kelly, David Heyman & Alexandra Derbyshire |
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
editWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 musical[4] film adaptation of the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. It was directed by Mel Stuart, and starred Gene Wilder as Wonka. The film tells the story of Charlie Bucket as he receives a golden ticket and visits Willy Wonka's chocolate factory with four other children from around the world. Filming took place in Munich in 1970, and the film was released on June 30, 1971. It received positive reviews, but it was a box office disappointment despite the fact that it recouped its budget. However, it developed into a cult film due to its repeated television airings and home video sales.[5][6] In 1972, the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
editCharlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 2005 film adaptation of the 1964 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film was directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket and Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. The storyline concerns Charlie, who takes a tour he has won, led by Wonka, through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world. Development for another adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, filmed previously as Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, began in 1991, 20 years after the first film version, which resulted in Warner Bros. Pictures providing the Dahl Estate with total artistic control. Prior to Burton's involvement, directors such as Gary Ross, Rob Minkoff, Martin Scorsese and Tom Shadyac had been involved, while Warner Bros. either considered or discussed the role of Willy Wonka with Nicolas Cage, Jim Carrey, Michael Keaton, Brad Pitt, Will Smith and Adam Sandler. Burton immediately brought regular collaborators Johnny Depp and Danny Elfman aboard. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory represents the first time since The Nightmare Before Christmas that Elfman contributed to the film score using written songs and his vocals. Filming took place from June to December 2004 at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom, where Burton avoided using digital effects as much as possible. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was released to critical praise and was a box office success, grossing approximately $475 million worldwide.
Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2017)
editTom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a 2017 American animated direct-to-video musical comedy film starring the cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation[7][8] and Turner Entertainment Co., it is the first Tom and Jerry direct-to-video film to be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment internationally and is also the final Tom and Jerry direct-to-video film to be involved with Warner Bros. Animation's founder Hal Geer, who died on January 26, 2017. The film is an animated remake of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (which in turn is based on the 1964 book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl) with the addition of Tom and Jerry as characters and seen through their point of view.
The film was released via digital media on June 27, 2017, and released on home media on July 11, 2017. It was panned by critics, who found Tom and Jerry's inclusion in the story to be forced and unnecessary.[9][10]
Wonka (2023)
editA prequel film, focusing on a Young Willy Wonka and his adventures prior to opening the world's most famous chocolate factory, titled Wonka, was released by Warners on December 15, 2023 with Paul King directing and David Heyman producing.[11] On May 24, 2021, it was announced that Timothée Chalamet had been cast to portray Young Willy Wonka in the film.[12] The film is an original story that depicts a younger, hopeful Wonka throughout his early days as a chocolatier.
The film was released in theaters on December 15, 2023, received positive reviews from critics, and grossed approximately $632 million worldwide. For his performance in the film, Chalamet was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
Television
editUntitled television series (TBA)
editOn November 27, 2018, Netflix announced they are developing an "animated series event" based on Roald Dahl's books, which will include a television series based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the novel's sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.[13][14]
Stage
editRoald Dahl's Willy Wonka (2004)
editRoald Dahl's Willy Wonka is a musical that combines elements of both Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and of the 1971 movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with newly created material.[15] The musical has several versions: the original version which premiered in 2004, the Junior version, the Kids version, and the Theatre for Young Audience version. All are owned by Music Theatre International, the company that owns the Willy Wonka license.
The Golden Ticket (2010)
editThe Estate of Roald Dahl sanctioned an operatic adaptation called The Golden Ticket. It was written by composer Peter Ash and British librettist Donald Sturrock. The Golden Ticket has completely original music and was commissioned by the American Lyric Theater, Lawrence Edelson (producing artistic director), and Felicity Dahl. The opera received its world premiere at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis on 13 June 2010, in a co-production with American Lyric Theater and Wexford Festival Opera.[16]
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2013)
editA musical based on the novel, titled Charlie and the Chocolate Factory premiered at the West End's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in May 2013 and officially opened on 25 June.[17] The show is directed by Sam Mendes, with new songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and stars Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka.[17] The production broke records for weekly ticket sales.[18] Coincidentally, Hodge was also the voice of a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory audiobook, as part of a package of Roald Dahl CDs read by celebrities.
Video games
editThere are three Charlie and the Chocolate Factory video games, one made in 1985, one made in 2005, and another made in 2012.[19][20] The former is based on the novel of the same name, the centre is based on the 2005 film adaptation, and the latter is based on the 1971 film adaptation.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1985)
editCharlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
editPoptropica: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Island (2012–present)
editSince November 15, 2012, the online role-playing video game Poptropica by Jeff Kinney has featured a "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Island" as one of the game's "islands", in which the player must problem-solve through game quest scenarios, centering on a problem that the player must resolve by going through multiple obstacles, collecting and using items, talking to various characters, and completing goals, serving as a video game adaptation of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.[19][20]
Attractions
editCharlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride
editCharlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride was a dark ride located in the Cloud Cuckoo Land area of Alton Towers theme park, Staffordshire, England. Opened in 2006, it was based upon the famous Roald Dahl book of the same name, and took its thematic inspiration from the illustrations of Quentin Blake. The ride was split into two segments, the first being a boat ride along the chocolate river inside Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Passengers encountered all the characters from the book either as simple animatronics or CGI projections. After disembarking the boats, the second segment began with a short pre-show video (involving Mike Teevee). The video was presented as if the viewers are actually trapped within the TV set. The ride continued inside one of two 'Great Glass Elevators' which simulated passengers taking an airborne trip through the rest of the factory. Each elevator was a static room with semi-translucent walls and ceiling on which CGI animations were projected from the outside, and only the floor trembles slightly to give the impression of movement.[21] The attraction closed in 2015.
Willy's Chocolate Experience
editAn unlicensed attraction, "Willy’s Chocolate Experience", opened on 24th February 2024 in Glasgow, and closed within a day. The event was advertised using highly misleading AI-generated artwork, promising features such as "an enchanted garden, an Imagination Lab, a Twilight Tunnel, and captivating entertainment", though instead contained a low-effort mock-up of a chocolate factory in a mostly empty warehouse.[22] The event spawned many internet memes, and featured factory tours offered by several actors playing Willy Wonka, that involved a story in which Wonka would defeat an "evil chocolate maker who lives in the walls" called "The Unknown". According to actor Paul Connell, who portrayed Willy Wonka in the tours, his script contained "15 pages of AI-generated gibberish".[23] Despite the high entrance fee and promised chocolate theme of the event, guests were only given a single jellybean and a cup of lemonade, and the misleading advertisements led to the police being called to the event shortly prior to it being shut down.[24]
Cast and crew
editPrincipal cast
editThis section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.
- An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
- U indicates an uncredited appearance.
- V indicates a voice-only role.
- Y indicates a younger version of the character.
| Character | Films | Musicals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory |
Wonka | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (West End) |
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Broadway) | ||
| 1971 | 2005 | 2017 | 2023 | 2013–2017 | 2017–2018 | ||
| Willy Wonka | Gene Wilder | Johnny Depp Blair DunlopY |
J. P. Karliak | Timothée Chalamet Colin O'BrienY |
Douglas Hodge | Christian Borle | |
| Charlie Bucket | Peter Ostrum | Freddie Highmore | Lincoln Melcher | Jack Costello Tom Klenerman Isaac Rouse Louis Suc |
Jake Ryan Flynn Ryan Foust Ryan Sell | ||
| Grandpa Joe | Jack Albertson | David Kelly | Jess Harnell | Nigel Planer | John Rubinstein | ||
| Oompa Loompas | Rusty Goffe Rudy Borgstaller George Claydon Malcom Dixon Ismed Hassan Norma McGlen Angelo Muscat Pepe Poupee Marcus Powell Albert Wilkinson |
Deep Roy | Kath Soucie (Tuffy) | Hugh Grant (Lofty) | Ensemble | ||
| Augustus Gloop | Michael Böllner | Philip Wiegratz | Rachel Butera | Harrison Slater Jenson Steele Regan Stokes |
F. Michael Haynie | ||
| Veruca Salt | Julie Dawn Cole | Julia Winter | Emily O'Brien | Polly Allen Tia Noakes Ellie Simons |
Emma Pfaeffle | ||
| Violet Beauregarde | Denise Nickerson | AnnaSophia Robb | Dallas Lovato | India Ria Amarteifio Adrianna Bertola Jade Johnson Mya Olaye |
Trista Dollison | ||
| Mike Teavee | Paris Themmen | Jordan Fry | Lauren Weisman | Jay Heyman Adam Mitchell Luca Toomey |
Michael Wartella | ||
| Grandma Josephine | Franziska Liebing | Eileen Essell | Uncredited voice actress | Roni Page | Kristy Cates | ||
| Grandma Georgina | Dora Altmann | Liz Smith | Myra Sands | Madeleine Doherty | |||
| Grandpa George | Ernst Ziegler | David Morris | Billy Boyle | Paul Slade Smith | |||
| Mr. Salt | Roy Kinnear | James Fox | Sean Schemmel | Clive Carter | Ben Crawford | ||
| Mrs. Salt | Pat Coombs | Francesca Hunt | |||||
| Mr. Teavee | Michael Goodliffe | Adam Godley | |||||
| Mrs. Teavee | Dodo Denney | Francesca Albini | Lori Alan | Iris Roberts | Jackie Hoffman | ||
| Mr. Gloop | Kurt Großkurth | Harry Taylor | |||||
| Mrs. Gloop | Ursula Reit | Franziska Troegner | Audrey Wasilewski | Jasna Irvir | Kathy Fitzgerald | ||
| Mrs. Bucket | Diana Sowle | Helena Bonham Carter | Kate Higgins | Alex Clatworthy | Emily Padgett | ||
| Bill / Candy Store Clerk | Aubrey Woods | Oscar James | Jess Harnell | ||||
| Sam Beauregarde | Leonard Stone | Paul J. Medford | Alan H. Green | ||||
| Mr. Wilkinson "Arthur Slugworth" |
Günter Meisner | Mick Wingert | |||||
| Mr. Turkentine | David Battley | Sean Schemmel | |||||
| Mrs. Beauregarde | Harriet RosalindVU | Missi Pyle | |||||
| Arthur Slugworth | Phil Philmar | Paterson Joseph | |||||
| Dr. Wilbur Wonka | Christopher Lee | ||||||
| Mr. Bucket | Noah Taylor | Jack Shalloo | |||||
| Fickelgruber | Tony Kirwood | Mathew Baynton | |||||
| Prodnose | Chris Cresswell | Matt Lucas | |||||
Crew
edit| Role | Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory |
Wonka | |
| 1971 | 2005 | 2017 | 2023 | |
| Director(s) | Mel Stuart | Tim Burton | Spike Brandt | Paul King |
| Producer(s) | Stan Margulies David L. Wolper |
Brad Grey Richard D. Zanuck |
Spike Brandt Tony Cervone |
|
| Writer(s) | Roald Dahl David SeltzerU |
John August | Gene Grillo | Simon Farnaby Paul King |
| Composer(s) | Leslie Bricusse Anthony Newley |
Danny Elfman |
|
Neil Hannon |
| Cinematographer(s) | Arthur Ibbetson | Philippe Rousselot | — | Chung-hoon Chung |
| Editor(s) | David Saxon | Chris Lebenzon | Dave Courter Philip Malamuth |
Mark Everson |
| Distributor(s) | Paramount Pictures[a] | Warner Bros. Pictures | ||
Reception
editBox office performance
edit| Film | U.S. release date | Box office revenue | Budget | Ref(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | International | Worldwide | ||||
| Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | June 30, 1971 | $4,000,000 | $58,143 | $4,058,143 | $3 million | [26] |
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | July 15, 2005 | $206,459,076 | $269,366,408 | $475,825,484 | $150 million | [27] |
| Wonka | December 15, 2023 | $201,034,847 | $371,400,000 | $572,434,847 | $125 million | [28] |
Critical and public response
edit| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | 91% (54 reviews)[29] | 67 (10 reviews)[30] | — |
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | 83% (229 reviews)[31] | 72 (40 reviews)[32] | A−[33] |
| Wonka | 82% (300 reviews) | 72 (40 reviews) | A− |
Academy Awards
edit| Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | |
| Original Score | Nominated | |
| Costume Design | Nominated |
Notes
edit- ^ Paramount originally distributed the film in 1971. After the film rights lapsed in 1977, Paramount declined to renew and they defaulted back to the Quaker Oats Company, which sold them to Warner Bros. Pictures.[25]
References
edit- ^ "Charlie in the White House". Archived from the original on 19 December 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- ^ Rawlinson, Kevin; Creamer, Ella (5 April 2024). "Greg James apologises for suggestion a glass eye would make Roald Dahl Twit disgusting". The Guardian.
- ^ Bearn, Emily (7 December 2023). "The new Wonka novel is missing the spirit of Roald Dahl". The Telegraph.
- ^ Tim Dirks. "Musicals–Dance Films". AMC Filmsite. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ^ "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ Kara K. Keeling; Scott T. Pollard (15 December 2008). Critical Approaches to Food in Children's Literature. Taylor & Francis. pp. 221–. ISBN 978-0-203-88891-9. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
- ^ Heritage, Stuart (April 21, 2017). "How to ruin other classic movies by inserting Tom and Jerry". The Guardian. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
- ^ "Tom & Jerry continue to decimate cinema with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie". Polygon. April 18, 2017.
- ^ "Willy Wonka Gets a Tom and Jerry Remake and It Looks Awful". MovieWeb. April 19, 2017.
- ^ "WB Will Stick Tom & Jerry Into Anything, Including 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory'". Cartoon Brew. April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Warner Bros. Sets 'Wonka' Prequel for 2023 Release". The Hollywood Reporter. 19 January 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Timothée Chalamet to Play Young Willy Wonka in Warner Bros. Movie". 24 May 2021.
- ^ Rowney, JoAnne (November 27, 2018). "Netflix's new Roald Dahl animated series 'reimagines' Matilda and Willy Wonka". Mirror. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (November 27, 2018). "Netflix Plots New Animated 'Willy Wonka' and 'Matilda' Shows". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ Nicole Arthur, "Sweet Imagination," The Washington Post, December 10, 2004
- ^ "The Golden Ticket". Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ a b "Official: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY to Play Theater Royal, Drury Lane; Begins May 18". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ "West End Winners". theatrebookings.com. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ a b "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory island". Poptropica. Sandbox Networks Inc. November 15, 2012. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Kanjanapangka, Jeremy (March 10, 2023). "How to Play Old Poptropica Islands Games". Touch Tap Play. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ "Alton Towers Theme Park, Staffordshire". The Guardian. 8 July 2006.
- ^ "The Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow, sort of explained!". New Zealand Herald. 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Glasgow 'Willy Wonka Experience' Unites The Internet In Laughter". Forbes. 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Police were called to this nightmare 'Wonka' experience that left children in tears". Yahoo News. 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Producer David L. Wolper and his company..." Los Angeles Times. July 27, 1988. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Wonka (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.