Amid the release of the trailer for the new Wonka film, it’s important that we look back to the last time Hollywood tried to expand the Wanka-verse.
Specifically, the 2005 remake, which was directed by Tim Burton and starred Johnny Depp.
And it seems like Gene Wilder wasn’t a fan. Wilder, who starred as the original Willy Wanka in the 1971 film, was candid when talking about his feelings.
Shared by TikTok creator Ziggy, the clip shows Wilder opening up during an interview.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
“I think it’s an insult,” Wilder said. “And it’s probably Warner Brothers insult.””To do that with Johnny Depp, who I think is a good actor, and I like him but I don’t care for that director,” he added, referring to Tim Burton.
“He’s a talented man but I don’t care for him for doing stuff like he did,” he continued.
A second clip that Ziggy shared shows Wilder expounding upon his thought. He said that when he heard Burton was directing, he knew the movie was going to be “dark.”
“The thing that put me off, when I saw little pieces in the promotion of what he was doing. I said, ‘I don’t want to see the film because I don’t want to be disappointed in him.'”
The actor certainly had some right to feel protective over his legacy. To date, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is still one of the most popular children’s movies of all time.
“Gene was so genuine, and a wonderful person. He’ll always be my Wonka,” wrote one person in the comments section.
“There’s only one Willy Wonka, and it ain’t Depp,” someone else added.
“What’s Gene says goes. The absolute goat of pulling heartstrings,” a third person chimed in.
Sadly, Wilder passed in 2016. So we’ll never know how he feels about the upcoming prequel.
Yes, not everything has to be made dark, perverted, and murderous to please the Democrats…
Gene Wilder will always bee The True Willy Wonka ALWAYS…..