‘Willy Wonka’ At 50: Everything Fans Should Know In 2021

Credit: elycefeliz
https://www.flickr.com/photos/elycefeliz/2688136203

Today, June 30, 2021, marks the 50th anniversary of the scrumdiddlyumptious classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory! Directed by Mel Stuart, the 1971 film is an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” With a screenplay written by Dahl himself, the film stars the late, great Gene Wilder as the outlandish candy factory owner Willy Wonka, who guides five lucky (or perhaps not-so-lucky) children and their guests on a whimsical and musical adventure through the Wonka factory. As we celebrate this everlasting film, here’s a look at everything going on in the Wonka universe:

4K Release:

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is about to be even more vibrant! Warner Brothers Home Entertainment is released the film on 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray and Digital on June 29, just in time for the anniversary. This edition includes several extras, including behind-the-scenes content with the cast and sing-alongs.

Unwrap a world of pure imagination 🍫 Celebrate 50 years of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and own it on 4K Ultra HD 6/29.

Pre-order #WillyWonka4K today – https://t.co/98HVbXaAjL pic.twitter.com/98ezHdsFHu

— Warner Bros. (@WBHomeEnt) May 3, 2021

Return to Theaters:

Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies are teaming up to bring a 50th anniversary presentation of the film to select theaters nationwide on Sunday, August 15 and Wednesday, August 18. Part of TCM’s Big Screen Classics series, screenings of the film will be accompanied by insights from TCM hosts. Click here to find a screening near you and purchase advance tickets.

Wonka Origin Story in the Works:

Warner Brothers is currently creating a prequel, entitled Wonka, covering a young Willy Wonka’s origins prior to opening the factory. It will be directed by Paul King, with a screenplay by Simon Farnaby. Timothée Chalamet is set to take on the titular role. He is the third actor to play the part of Wonka, succeeding Wilder in the original, as well as Johnny Depp in the 2005 Tim Burton version, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The new film’s scheduled release date is March 17, 2023.

Willy Wonka 🍫🍬🍭✨

i. Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 1971)

ii. Johnny Depp (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2005)

iii. Timothée Chalamet (Wonka, 2023) pic.twitter.com/UtBy7sErsR

— Timothée Chalamet Thailand (@timotheethai) May 25, 2021

Netflix Series

Beyond the prequel, fans have even more to be excited about! Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi is helming two animated series for Netflix, with one surrounding the general world and characters of Dahl’s novel and the other centering specifically on the Oompa-Loompas. Release dates for these series have yet to be announced.

New project! Been keeping busy at Netflix storyboarding on a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory series alongside some incredible artists and helmed by (drumroll) Taika Waititi! Can’t say much about it but I’m having a *looks directly to camera* sweet time. 🍫🍭🍬 pic.twitter.com/VbT498VTQV

— Katie Shanahan (@KtShy) May 6, 2020

How will you be celebrating this big anniversary? Snacking on some Everlasting Gobstoppers, perhaps? The film is available for rent on most major streaming platforms. It can also be streamed with an HBO Max subscription, but only until June 30. Be sure to catch it before it’s gone!

About The Author:

Samantha Heltemes is a film and television production student at Loyola Marymount University and an intern for AfterBuzz TV. She is passionate about movies, art and design, travel, and food.

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