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Sing along with me: “The candy man can ‘cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good!”
If that melody came to you with barely a pause, you’re going to want to check out the brand-new trailer for “Wonka.”
The new take on Roald Dahl’s classic novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” — and, of course, the legendary 1971 movie starring Gene Wilder — stars young phenom Timothée Chalamet as eccentric candy genius Willy Wonka.
But wait, you may be saying. Chalamet is only 27! There’s no way he can match Wilder’s amazing, twinkly-eyed performance from the first film!
But there, my dear, is where you’ve got it as mixed-up as an Everlasting Gobstopper.
MORE: ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factor’ facts you probably never knew
The new movie, due to hit theaters Dec. 15, is a prequel. It tells the story, according to the trailer, of “how Willy became Wonka.”
Naturally, it’s a fantastic adventure filled with song, dance and mischievous hijinks. Wonka travels the globe working on the recipe for his magical chocolate — which is totally delicious to boot. He’s joined on his quest by a young girl, played by Calah Lane. They’re doing their best to outwit a “chocolate cartel” (complete with threatening, German-accented voices) and create “Hoverchoc.”
Wonka fans can probably predict this: Hoverchoc makes you float! (See also: Fizzy Lifting Drinks.)
Oscar-winner Olivia Colman and comedy star Keegan-Michael Key get top billing along with Chalamet. And for my fellow British-comedy nerds, we’ve got Rowan Atkinson, Matt Lucas and Rich Fulcher.
Perhaps the biggest head-turner, though, is Hugh Grant. In his orangest role yet, Grant appears as a dignified Oompa-Loompa, complete with tiny flute.
I feel like I’m downplaying this. The Grant reveal must be seen to be believed. Prepare yourself — here’s the trailer:
As one character says disdainfully, “it’s just … weird.” When Willy Wonka is in the house, my friend, that is entirely the point.
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