Warner Bros. has acquired the intellectual property rights to the belovedWilly Wonkafranchise from theRoald Dahlestate, as the studio plans a new standalone movie.Harry PotterproducerDavid Heymanis returning to the studio to produce alongsideMichael Siegel, the manager of the Dahl Estate. The studio was reportedly trying to secure the franchise rights since the beginning of this year, with the deal finally closing this fall.
Varietyreports thatSimon Rich(The Secret Life of Pets) has come aboard to write the script. Sources claim this project will not be an origin story, but rather a standalone tale focusing on Willy Wonka and his “early adventures.” There is no word if the studio plans on utilizing other characters fromRoald Dahl’s Willy Wonka novels, but there is speculation that if this first project is a hit, characters like Charlie and others could surface in future projects.
Roald Dahlwrote two books featuring Willy Wonka, 1964’sCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryand 1972’sCharlie and the Great Glass Elevator, although he never wrote any specific books about the Willy Wonka character directly.Charlie and the Chocolate Factorywas adapted for the big screen twice, the first, 1971’sWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starringGene Wilderas Willy Wonka, and 2005’sCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, starringJohnny Depp.Gene Wilderpassed away at the age of 83 back in August.
Since this project won’t be anorigin story, it remains to be seen what approach will be taken to bring this iconic character back to the big screen, or how old Willy Wonka will be during these “early adventures.“Courtenay ValentiandJon Gondaare overseeing the project for the studio. The studio hasn’t announced any production schedule details or set a release date at this time for theWilly Wonka Prequel.
Shortly afterGene Wilder’s death, AMC Theaters re-releasedWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factoryin theaters, alongside another one of the actor’s enduring hits,Blazing Saddles.David Heymanis best known for producing all of theHarry Pottermovies, including the upcoming spinoffFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which is set for release on November 18. Aside from creating additional characters forThe Secret Life of Pets,Simon Richserved as a writer on NBC’sSaturday Night Liveand he is also credited with writing additional story material for Pixar’s smash hitInside Out.
