WILLY WONKA Reboot Reportedly In The Works

The fine folk over at Variety are hearing word that Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to Willy Wonka from the Roald Dahl Estate with plans for a prequel.

‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ and ‘Harry Potter’ producer David Heyman is on board to produce, while Simon Rich (‘Man Seeking Woman,’ ‘Inside Out’) pens the screenplay. Michael Siegel, manager of the Dahl Estate, and Kevin McCormick will co-produce.

According to the trade’s sources, the film will not be an origin tale, but a standalone movie focused on the eccentric Wonka and his early adventures. Should the revival prove successful, characters like Charlie Bucket may appear in future installments.

Hollywood has adapted Dahl’s childhood classic ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ twice before, with the beloved 1971 original starring the late Gene Wilder, and more recently with the 2005 version starring Johnny Depp.