# Re Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" remake with Depp as Wonka - Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 21, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681 "2003-08-21T14:43:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/61 "2003-08-23T04:29:49Z")
Tim Curry would get my vote. Dunno about Depp. I would watch it though. I didn’t know about Burton and Bonham-Carter. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/62 "2003-08-23T04:58:21Z")
Burton and Bonham-Carter have been an item since Fall 2001–though it certainly wasn’t any huge news deal. The baby rumors started earlier this year and were confirmed later. I saw pix of very pregnant B-C online, in July. Back to movies…I thought Depp and Burton were going to collaborate on an adaptation of the novel **Geek Love**. I think I’d rather see that than a remake. ---
**Author:** ![captainQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@captainQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/captainQwark)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/63 "2003-08-23T05:25:24Z")
I have to agree that the original sucked. The oompa-loompas are god-awful ugly and Willy Wonka is an asshole! ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/64 "2003-08-23T08:22:50Z")
> [@](#): > > _Back to movies…I thought Depp and Burton were going to collaborate on an adaptation of the novel Geek Love. I think I’d rather see that than a remake._ If this is true, you can forward my mail to the movie theater, because I will be standing in line as of five minutes ago. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/65 "2003-08-23T14:34:12Z")
I’d **probably** see it if Depp is Wonka. I’d absolutely see it if they got Tim Curry! As far as Grandpa and Charlie, perhaps they could make Charlie black, so Morgan Freeman could play Grandpa! (I swear that man could play anything but a 19-year-old white girl, and he might be able to give even that a run for its’ money!). As for Paul Rebens, I wouldn’t blink at letting my kids see something with him in it. I think he got a way raw deal on that whole thing! ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/66 "2003-08-23T15:38:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dr. Rieux \* > \*\*George C. Scott, actually… \*\* Mr. Magoo! Back on topic: I’m lining up with **Viva**. But might be changing my vote as I type. Geek Love is a great book. Is there any way I won’t be disappointed in a film version? Will story be sacrificed in favor of special effects and CG realistic freaks? ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/67 "2003-08-23T21:25:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gwendee \* > \*\*Mr. Magoo! > Back on topic: > > I’m lining up with **Viva**. But might be changing my vote as I type. Geek Love is a great book. Is there any way I won’t be disappointed in a film version? Will story be sacrificed in favor of special effects and CG realistic freaks? \*\* Well, Burton refused to use CG apes, so I’m hoping he’d refuse CG sideshow freaks as well. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/68 "2003-08-23T21:38:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*I want see a western with Paul Rubens and George Michael. Whatever shall they call it? Hmmm… \*\* Undercover in the bathrooms in the Best Little Pornhouse in Texas 2 : Electric Bugaloo. Something like that, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/69 "2003-08-23T21:39:20Z")
“Back to movies…I thought Depp and Burton were going to collaborate on an adaptation of the novel Geek Love. I think I’d rather see that than a remake.” From what I know, Burton owns the rights to do the movie but nothing is in the works. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Tambo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@Mr\_Tambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Tambo)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/70 "2003-08-23T22:08:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lemur866 \* > \*\* > > Any child who disobeys orders, or is rude, deserves a horrible horrible punishment. If you obey orders and are polite, then you deserve a wonderful reward. That is the message of the book. The movie botched it. \*\* Yep. Children should be meek and biddable, and shouldn’t be fat or happen to like chewing gum or watching television. They _deserve_ to have disgusting things done to them. Come on, kids, let’s gather around and laugh delightedly as these embodiments of evil get their just come-uppance. I hate Roald Dahl. ---
**Author:** ![Dawne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Dawne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dawne)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/71 "2003-08-24T17:49:52Z")
I hadn’t heard about any of this until i read this thread, I think it has the potential to be a great film, especially with Tim Burton as the director. I agree with those who have suggested that giving it a dark edge would work, i already find some bits creepy. I remember seeing an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland that was so scary and dark but it worked so well, just like this could. A nightmarish edge would suit the film perfectly. If the film is made i really hope they cast someone better as Charlie, i really didn’t like him in the film. I also think that it would be… i don’t know, creepier somehow if they were all English, although i can’t quite explain why. Something to do with the accents, unless they were all made into brummies or geordies or something. London accents maybe, or bland midlands ones. John Cleese would be excellent as grandpa joe, and now I’m thinking about it Ryan Cartwright would make a very good Charlie and the fact that hes older than Charlie should be (20 or something) somehow makes it creepier. ---
**Author:** ![eeeeevon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@eeeeevon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eeeeevon)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/72 "2003-09-02T19:57:05Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by astro \* \*\*Can’t they just leave a classic alone. ugh! I agree- why remake this movie? doesnt anyone have an original thought in their head? write a new movie! ---
**Author:** ![TJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJay)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/73 "2003-09-02T20:17:48Z")
Just read this today in The Mirror (UK tabloid) but couldn’t find the relevant link on their online edition - anyway, found the same info on Channel 4 site [here](http://timeteam.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/news_story.jsp?storyId=1684) An excerpt from the article: > [@](#): > > JOHNNY DEPP is keen to take on the lead role in TIM BURTON’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY remake, but he’ll happily step aside if rocker MARILYN MANSON wants the part. > > Manson and Depp are the only names in the running to recreate the beloved ROALD DAHL eccentric, and Depp admits the rocker would be the perfect Wonka. > > He says, "It’s an exciting possibility for me to go back and do another film with Tim. It would be a ball. I’ll keep all my digits crossed, as it were. > > “That said, I’d go and see Manson as Willy Wonka. I’d go and see him in anything.” Personally, I’d be happy to see either of them in it - I’m easily pleased! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681/74 "2003-09-02T20:56:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lemur866 \* > **If you obey orders and are polite, then you deserve a wonderful reward.** OTOH, if you disobey orders and are polite… 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tim-burtons-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-remake-with-depp-as-wonka-why/196681.md?page=3)