Fans of the Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be wanting to grab their golden tickets once more, as 2023 marks the release of Warner Bros. blockbuster Wonka.

Following in the footsteps of the 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and the 2005 adaptation with the same name as the novel, the new film will explore the early years of the eccentric chocolatier.

Warner Bros. first acquired the rights to Willy Wonka himself back in 2016, with initial production negotiations beginning in 2018.

Read more: Why is Warner Bros. making a Willy Wonka prequel?

Here’s everything we know about Wonka so far.

Wonka release date

Wonka is currently scheduled to be released on 15 December, 2023.

The film was initially scheduled for release in March 2023, but was pushed back through adjustments to the Warner Bros. 2022/2023 film slate.

With the majority of filming taking place in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, it’s more than likely that Wonka will be ready for its new December release date.

Wonka cast

Only two stars currently have confirmed roles in this adaptation of Wonka.

Bones and All and Call Me By Your Name star Timothée Chalamet will appear in the titular role, fresh from the November release of Dune: Part Two. He was announced to play Willy Wonka in 2021.

Peep Show actor Paterson Joseph is also set to star as Arthur Slugworth, one of Wonka’s rival chocolatiers.

Though their roles are yet unknown, there are plenty of other cast members slated to star in Wonka. Blackadder star Rowan Atkinson is set to appear in the film, alongside The Shape Of Water actress Sally Hawkins.

The Favourite Oscar-winner Olivia Colman is also billed on the castlist, with Matt Lucas and Keegan-Michael Key additionally scheduled for Wonka roles.

Other names include Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell, Tom Davis, Matthew Baynton, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.

Wonka director and writers

Wonka is set to be directed by Paul King, who has previously worked on films including Paddington and Bunny and the Bull.

King was officially announced as the film’s director back in early 2021, alongside the announcement of the film’s new title.

Read more: Roald Dahl hated Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

The screenplay has been co-written by both King and Simon Farnaby, who is known for his work on Horrible Histories and Paddington 2.

The production team includes David Heyman, Luke Kelly, and Alexandra Derbyshire.

Where is Wonka being filmed?

Wonka is now in post-production.

Filming took place across England and Utah in the United States. In early 2022, it was announced that part of the film’s production was taking place in St. Albans, building one of the sets on Verulamium Park.

Other UK locations have included Bath, Lyme Regis, Mapledurham, Watford, and Wendover Airport. The Warner Bros. studios in Leavesden have additionally been used throughout the filming schedule.

What do we know about Wonka’s plot?

It has been revealed that Wonka will act as a prequel to the original 1964 novel, following a younger version of Willy Wonka in the days before he set up his infamous chocolate factory.

Specific plot details are as yet unknown, but it has been announced that Wonka will be a musical adaptation. In an interview with British Vogue, Chalamet revealed that he has seven musical numbers throughout the film, citing them as an “escape” to everyday life.

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Speaking to ScreenRant in early 2022, star Natasha Rothwell said: “I can't give away anything. I feel like I signed everything away to do it. But I had so much fun. I literally got back a few weeks ago from shooting in London. I was there for five months and I just think audiences are going to enjoy it.”

The current IMDB synopsis for Wonka reads as follows:

“The story will focus specifically on a young Willy Wonka and how he met the Oompa-Loompas on one of his earliest adventures.”

Is there a trailer for Wonka?

Currently, there is no trailer for Wonka.

The movie is in post-production, but expect the first trailers to appear during the summer blockbuster period.

Some behind-the-scenes footage has been released on YouTube, including a clip of Chalamet filming a scene in Lyme Regis.

In another short clip, he can he heard singing atop a vehicle moving through The Cobb harbour.

Wonka is coming to cinemas on 15 December, 2023.