The cast of Wonka is filled with recognizable actors and popular comedians who bring Roald Dahl's iconic characters to life in fresh and original ways. Wonka is a musical about the origins of its title character, an eccentric businessman known for creating sweet treats and creatively punishing spoiled children. Serving as a prequel to Dahl's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the movie focuses primarily on Willy Wonka’s younger days.
The Wonka story recounts how the figure met the Oompa-Loompas on his early adventures and teamed up with them to create his confections with a little sprinkle of magic. With Paddington director Paul King at the helm and heartthrob Timothée Chalamet in the title role, the prequel differs significantly from the previous on-screen adaptations of Dahl's classic story — 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — which respectively cast Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp as Wonka.
Timothée Chalamet As Willy Wonka
Hollywood superstar Timothée Chalamet leads the cast of Wonka as a young Willy Wonka, with the story following his early years as a magical entrepreneur. Chalamet is the third actor to play Wonka on-screen, following in the footsteps of Wilder and Depp. The actor had his breakout role in 2017’s Call Me By Your Name, where he played a teenager who finds himself in a complex relationship of love and self-discovery. Since then, Chalamet has also played the roles of intergalactic messiah Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve's two-part adaptation of Dune, hopeless romantic Laurie in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Little Women, and high schooler Kyle in Gerwig's Lady Bird.
Hugh Grant As An Oompa-Loompa
The Ooompa-Loompas ultimately become Willy Wonka's close friends and workers in his chocolate factory, but Wonka depicts the beginning of their relationship with the titular candy man. This will likely focus on one particular Oompa-Loompa played by Hugh Grant. As part of the Wonka cast, Grant reunites with director Paul King, whom he worked with on Paddington 2 where he played villain Phoenix Buchanan. He also played a villain in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Grant is otherwise best known for his romantic roles as William in Notting Hill, the Prime Minister in Love Actually, Will Freeman in About a Boy, and Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Keegan-Michael Key In An Unknown Role
Keegan-Michael Key has been cast in an undisclosed role in Wonka, though it's likely that he’ll be playing some kind of comic relief, given his background in the comedy genre. The actor is best known as one-half of the comedic duo Key and Peele, alongside popular filmmaker Jordan Peele. Key voiced the iconic role of Toad in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, following on from his many live-action movie roles including Clarence in Keanu, Hugo in Disney's Tomorrowland, and Coyle in Shane Black's Predator. On television, besides starring on the sketch comedy series Key & Peele, Key has been a regular on the shows Schmigadoon!, Reboot, and Friends from College.
Olivia Colman In An Unknown Role
British actress Olivia Colman will also be appearing in the cast of Wonka, though her role also remains a secret. The actress is among the most acclaimed of her generation, having won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Anne in Yorgos Lanthimos's historical drama The Favourite. Colman also earned Oscar nominations for her performances in The Father and The Lost Daughter. Despite starting out in comedy, Colman is now best known for her dramatic roles, including her breakout work in Tyrannosaur and her Emmy-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series The Crown, so Wonka could mark an entertaining return to form.
Rowan Atkinson As The Priest
The character of The Priest will be played by British comedian Rowan Atkinson, though it remains unclear exactly what relevance this priest has to the movie's story. He’s likely somebody that Wonka meets along his travels, perhaps helping him with his adventures in some way. Prior to being cast in Wonka, Atkinson has long been recognizable as his comedy alter-ego Mr. Bean, who has appeared in movie and TV projects, such as Bean and Mr. Bean’s Holiday. The actor also played the titular spy in the Johnny English franchise and was the voice of Zazu in Disney's classic 1994 animated feature The Lion King.
Sally Hawkins As Willy’s Mother
Willy Wonka’s mother appears in Wonka, presumably playing a large role in the early years of his life. The character is played by Sally Hawkins. Before ing the cast of Wonka, Hawkins worked with director Paul King as one of the main stars of the Paddington movies. She earned an Oscar nomination for playing the lead role in Guillermo del Toro’s Best Picture-winning drama The Shape of Water and was nominated for her ing performance as Ginger in Blue Jasmine. Her other memorable roles include Dr. Vivienne Graham in the Godzilla franchise and Poppy in Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky.
Matt Lucas In An Unknown Role
Matt Lucas has also ed the cast of Wonka in an unknown role, though if his previous career is anything to judge by, he’ll be another of Wonka’s comedic friends in the story. The actor is best known for playing multiple characters in the British comedy series Little Britain and the companion Nardole on Doctor Who. His movie roles include Gil in Bridesmaids, both Tweedledee and Tweedledumb in Disney's live-action Alice in Wonderland films, and Joe in Paddington, where he worked with Wonka director Paul King. Lucas also has a large history with theater, so it’s likely that he’ll be performing some of the songs in Wonka.
Jim Carter In An Unknown Role
Jim Carter’s role in the Wonka cast also remains secret, as much of the film’s story is being kept tightly under wraps. The actor has mostly appeared in dramatic works, so this project could definitely be a major departure for him. Audiences will recognize Carter from his role as Mr. Carson on the series Downton Abbey and its movie spinoffs, though he has also worked on blockbusters such as Transformers: The Last Knight, in which he voiced the character Cogman, and Disney's live-action Alice in Wonderland where he voiced the executioner. His other movie roles include Ralph Bashford in Shakespeare in Love and Nish in Ella Enchanted.
Wonka ing Cast & Characters
Matthew Baynton as Fickelgruber - A character that audiences will already know from Roald Dahl’s original story, Fickelgruber is an employee of Wonka’s who ultimately betrays him and sells information to his competitors. In Wonka, he’s played by Matthew Baynton, the actor behind the role of Thomas Thorne in the British version of Ghosts.
Paterson Joseph as Slugworth - Another character who appears in Dahl’s novel, taking the place of Wonka’s main business rival. Slugworth uses spies and blackmail to gather information on Wonka, with the intention of bringing his business down for good. Before ing the cast of Wonka in the Slugworth role, Paterson Joseph starred as Connor on the series Timeless and Keaty in the movie The Beach.
Simon Farnaby in an unknown role - Simon Farnaby previously worked with Wonka director Paul King on Paddington 2 where he played Barry the Security Guard.
Tom Davis in an unknown role - Also part of the cast of Paddington 2, Tom Davis is a popular British comedian whose most popular work is the show Murder in Successville where he plays a fictional detective named D.I. Sleet.
Natasha Rothwell in an unknown role - Formerly a writer on Saturday Night Live, Natasha Rothwell is otherwise best known for playing Kelli on the series Insecure.
Rich Fulcher in an unknown role - Fulcher is a British actor and producer who previously worked with Wonka director Paul King as a cast member on the show The Mighty Boosh. He later played a judge in the dramatic film Marriage Story.
