Willy Wonka origin film starts shooting in the UK with Timothée Chalamet and Rowan Atkinson

Shooting has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ Wonka, with Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (upcoming Dune, Call Me By Your Name) in the titular role and filmmaker Paul King (the Paddington films) at the helm. Wonka is based on characters by Roald Dahl and is inspired Dahl’s most beloved characters, Willy Wonka. The film takes place before the events of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Starring alongside Chalamet are Rowan Atkinson (the Johnny English and Mr. Bean films, Love Actually), Mathew Baynton (The Wrong Mans, Ghosts), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey), Oscar winner Olivia Colman (The Favourite), Tom Davis (Paddington 2, King Gary), Simon Farnaby (the Paddington films, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Rich Fulcher (Marriage Story, Disenchantment), Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, the Paddington films, Spencer), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Paddington 2, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Mary Poppins Returns), Paterson Joseph (Vigil, Noughts + Crosses), Emmy and Peabody Award winner Keegan-Michael Key (The Prom, Schmigadoon), Calah Lane (The Day Shall Come), Matt Lucas (Paddington, Little Britain), Colin O’Brien (The Mothership), Natasha Rothwell (White Lotus, Insecure), Rakhee Thakrar (Sex Education, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Ellie White (The Other One, The Windsors).

Wonka is shooting in the UK and is set to open in movie theaters on March 17, 2023 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.