Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka ??????? Never thought I could see anyone but Gene Wilder in that role But after seeing the trailer, I think Depp could pull it off.

This isn't a remake per se. The first movie was just based on the book, Burton's film is going to stick much closer to the original story...

Anyway, check out the teaser:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/feature/charlieandthechocolatefactory.html

I have to commend the TBS marketing department for advertising the hell outta the "classic" Casper Van Dien cabler "The Time Shifters" 'cause it had a character with maybe the same Burton Wonka hat and the exact same hairstyle.
That character was creepy looking too.

I've long ago realized that Johnny Depp can do just about any part he's asked to do, and do it well.

... and Depp and Burton together is sort of like Scorsese and DeNiro together - a perfect pairing of talent and sensibilities. I've never quite gotten into the original, but I know I'm going to love this one.

I saw the original on it's theatrical run (and ate tons of the tie-in candy!) and loved it, unlike most remakes this looks like it has potential! Roald Dahl's original book was MUCH darker, iirc.

Completely agree about Depp, much like Gene Hackman in the seventies & eighties, he's ofthen memorable in less-than-memorable films. (Blow & Once Upon a Time in Mexico come immediately to mind).

It'd be nice to see Burton do something good for a change, I haven't been real crazy about his last several movies.

Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka ??????? Never thought I could see anyone but Gene Wilder in that role
How about Tom Baker in his Doctor Who days? He resembled Wilder quite a bit at that time. And certainly he could do that "zany and slightly ominous" thing quite well.

Qapla'

SSB

How about Tom Baker in his Doctor Who days? He resembled Wilder quite a bit at that time. And certainly he could do that "zany and slightly ominous" thing quite well.

Qapla'

SSB
He played an insane sea captian in an old Black Adder episode once. Zany is .... so inadequate a word! :D.

I remember Tom Baker played Rasputin in a movie about the fall of the Czars.

Very dark.

tom baker does quite well as villians: check out the golden voyage of sinbad and the mutations.

wlider's wonka was a strong influence on the doctors costuming beyond the 4th doctor (baker). look at paul mcgann's costume as the 8th doctor. different color scheme, no top hat, however, its darned close.

btw: to me, the creepyness of depp's wonka is closely akin to that of micheal jackson. (just in appearance, not the child molestation thing)

wlider's wonka was a strong influence on the doctors costuming beyond the 4th doctor (baker). look at paul mcgann's costume as the 8th doctor. different color scheme, no top hat, however, its darned close.
That's interesting. I remember that the first time I saw Wilder in the film after I had watched some of Tom Baker's Doctor, I was immediately struck by the resemblance.
the creepyness of depp's wonka is closely akin to that of micheal jackson. (just in appearance, not the child molestation thing)
At least Depp doesn't look like a grinning skull, which is what I think of every time I see Jackson these days. What has happened to him is just sad. Don't read this as me giving him a pass in any way -- his childhood wasn't under his control, but he still had choices to make that were no one's responsibility but his own. But I don't feel the glee in his downfall that I perceive in some of his detractors.

Qapla'

SSB

Why would you want to recast the part with essentially the same type of actor?
Though I'm sure Johnny Depp will be good, I was really hoping for Christopher Walken as Wonka...
"Slugworth... nevahSCARED me....
Vermicious Kni'ths do...
'cause their FAST."

Ugh... Michael Jackson... I swear, he looks more and more like a cadaver every day... :shudder:

I'm invoking the "Johnny Depp/Angelina Jolie Clause".

I'll watch any movie with the above mentioned actors provided they don't use British accents.

What bothers me is Burtons "retelling" the story based on the book. Yes, I read the books as a child and they were much darker than the original film.

I'm just leery that his "retelling based on the book" will end up like the "retelling based on the book" version of Planet Of The Apes. Lots of eye candy and a limp story.

I can't help but wish they'd leave well enough alone.

I can't help but wish they'd leave well enough alone.
I was and remain a huge fan of the first film and when it was announced that
they were doing another film, I was very apprehensive, I loved Wilder's vision of
Willy Wonka. And I had the same fears you do. But after seeing the teaser, I'm feeling alot more at ease and can't wait for July to see the finished film.

My opinion of Depp, he could have made Titanic a good film, if cast in the role of Jack, rather than just visually impressive. Best actor there is. Never liked the original film, the story aint called Willy Frickin Wonka and the Chocolate Factory anyway, much more excited about this version. At least they got the title right.

btw: to me, the creepyness of depp's wonka is closely akin to that of micheal jackson. (just in appearance, not the child molestation thing)

Can't quite agree with you on that:

http://cheesegod.com/games/jackson.jpg

Gads!!! You see? You see what I mean??? He's a walking, talking cadaver!!! :shudder:

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory??

At first I thought it was the story of Charlie Bucket after he took over when Willy Passed on his secrets to him.You know like a continuation to the Original Willy Wonka movie...A re-make..NOOOOOOOO!!

Sometimes movies should not be re-made, leave good alone as is .. I say.

Just my thoughts, hope no-one on the board minds.

Thanks. TR

One thing I noticed on the IMDB listing (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367594/combined). Apparently, Willy Wonka's father will be in the movie. And he's being played by Christopher Lee.

ok guys, look at that photo of the phantom of the op...um, jackson, then keep it in your head and run the trailer again, particularly the shot where depp turns and grins and you'll get where im coming from

Just my thoughts, hope no-one on the board minds.
No, of course not! That's what it's here for! Word is this isn't a remake of the movie but an attempt to get closer to the original book, including the original artwork.

I had a comment but am too traumatized by the pic above to remember what it was.

I'm unfamiliar with the original story, but when I read about the remake I thought to myself that they could really do up the factory with 21st Century effects. But in the preview it still has a resemblance to the Wilder story. So - is that accurate to the book? In my mind I pictured a much grander, more factory-like (yet as magical) factory setting...

One thing I noticed on the IMDB listing (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367594/combined). Apparently, Willy Wonka's father will be in the movie. And he's being played by Christopher Lee.

In the screenplay's only substantial departure from the book we meet, via flashback, Wonka's father... who turns out to be dentist.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was my favorite book when I was growing up. Much as I enjoy Wilder's take on Wonka I've always thought the filmed version was a bit cheesy. Dahl fans will be pleased to know that 99% of the dialogue in the shooting script has been transposed verbatim from the book. I have no idea if Burton's version will be any good, but I guarantee it will be closer in style and tone to the source material than the Wilder/ Mel Stuart version.