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Why was Hugh Grant cast as Oompa Loompa in 'Wonka'? Exited fans say movie will make '1 wonkbillion dollars'

2023-07-12 20:19
Hugh Grant is 'the funniest, most sarcastic shit that I've ever met and it was very nice to put him in the film,' said director Paul King
Why was Hugh Grant cast as Oompa Loompa in 'Wonka'? Exited fans say movie will make '1 wonkbillion dollars'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hugh Grant made a hilarious appearance in a brand-new trailer for the eagerly anticipated Willy Wonka film as a fiery orange Oompa Loompa, giving fans their first glimpse of the chocolate factory. The movie, which will be released in December, stars Grant, 62, as the lovable Oompa Loompa, who works for Willy Wonka in the factory as his tiny, orange helper. 'Wonka' will adhere to the original plot that was drawn from Roald Dahl's beloved 1964's children's book 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

The movie has already generated a lot of interest from fans with the renowned Paul King directing and an outstanding cast that includes Timothee Chalamet, Ryan Gosling, and several others. The most recent images have now driven admirers crazy. This latest dazzling teaser for Wonka may give us the best taste ever at Timothée's Willy Wonka, but Grant as an Oompa Loompa is what everyone is raving about.

Fans were given a first peek at the Oompa Loompa figure in a photo of Grant in an exclusive interview with People magazine. Grant is depicted in the image as a small person stuck within a glass jar holding a tool, while Chalamet's Wonka is marveling at the tiny person. The character is shown staring back at the camera with a dubious expression on his bright orange face. He is dressed in a little dark tweed purple suit, sports bright neon green curly hair, white eyebrows, and tiny curly-toed shoes.

This is the first of a few images that fans have seen from the newest movie journey starring the 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' characters. Grant looks almost like the original Oompa Loompas in the initial film starring Gene Wilder, hinting at parallels to the nostalgic 1971 classic, as per a report from Mirror.

Why is Hugh Grant playing an Oompa Loompa in 'Wonka'?

The writer/director Paul King gave an explanation of why he cast his 'Paddington 2' villain in "the smallest part he's ever played" while speaking at a trailer preview event, as per Digital Spy. "It was just going back to the books again, the way the Oompa Loompas – they sing mostly in the original book, there's not really dialogue for them – but they have these great long poems where they talk about the kids," King stated.

'He's the funniest'

"They're incredibly sarcastic and judgmental and cruel and very Roald Dahl-y about these kids. They really don't hold back. So it was really thinking about that character who could be a real shit and I went, 'Ah Hugh'." He added, "He's the funniest, most sarcastic shit that I've ever met and it was very nice to put him in the film."

'This movie is going to make 1 wonkbillion dollars'

Fans of Roald Dahl have already reacted to the photos on by tweeting their enthusiasm for the upcoming movie. One fan tweeted, "Somehow this image feels perfect," while another claimed, "This movie is going to make 1 wonkbillion dollars". "Solid choice," noted another. "You can't deny, that Oompa Loompa looks pretty swell," wrote another. One person said, "Thought another wonka movie was unnecessary but now i’m sold, give me more oompa loompa hugh grant."