LOOK: Hugh Grant and Rowan Atkinson assemble for ‘Wonka’

Director Paul King talks about casting two iconic actors

One of the most anticipated movies of the year, “Wonka,”starring Timothée Chalamet, has finally opened in the Philippine cinemas! Tackling one of Willy Wonka’s first adventures, the movie centers on how the protagonist meets the Oompa-Loompas and strives to establish his own chocolate factory against the cartel of greedy chocolatiers.

Aside from Timothée himself, another well-loved actor who will be seen in the movie is Hugh Grant, playing the role of an Oompa-Loompa. Hugh has played significant roles in some of the most iconic films of all time, such as “Notting Hill” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”

“I felt so blessed to have been able to assemble this cast,” said director Paul King. “There were so many extraordinary people who were prepared to come and work with me. It felt like every time I asked whether somebody would be willing to do it and they said ‘yes,’ I felt like the kid in the candy store.”

Hugh talked about how Paul and him stayed connected since they worked on “Paddington 2.”

“He has been nuts about Roald Dahl since he was a kid, in exactly the same way that he was obsessed with Michael Bond and ‘Paddington,’ ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ was one of his favorite books,” shared Hugh. “And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”

Another ‘90s favorite actor who appears in the film is Mr. Bean himself, Rowan Atkinson. The actor is well-loved for his iconic comedy roles, and his role in “Wonka” will not be an exception. “Rowan is one of my longtime comedy heroes, and it was an honor and delight to work with him,” said Paul. “He plays a priest at the city cathedral [it’s not his first time in clerical attire] and has to answer a phone with the words ‘Hello, pulpit!’ It’s the sort of line only Rowan could deliver!”

“Wonka” is produced by David Heyman (Harry Potter films) and also stars Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, and Calah Lane. The movie is now showing in Philippine cinemas, including in IMAX.