KEY POINTS

  • Filming for “Wonka” was halted in December
  • Production will reportedly resume in February
  • The movie is hitting cinemas on March 17, 2023

It won’t be long until fans see Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka on the big screen.

The “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” reboot has been scheduled for release on March 17, 2023. With Chalamet as the titular character, “Wonka” is expected to give fans a look into the younger years of the eccentric chocolate factory owner.

The plot of “Wonka” is still unknown. But since this is a reboot, Collider said viewers should expect to see the backstory of Willy and how he became the world-famous chocolatier.

Although “Wonka” has already been given a release date, it is still subject to change considering how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague the production side of Hollywood.

Filming for the hotly anticipated flick was halted in December. OxfordshireLive reported that the crew and cast were supposed to shoot some scenes in Merton Street, Oxford but had to cancel at the last minute.

The roadblock may have had nothing to do with the pandemic, however. Sources said problems with blocked drains in Merton Street caused the stench of the sewer to permeate in the area. Officials were spotted unblocking the drain while the crew was preparing the set.

Whether or not the drainage problem caused the cancellation of the production was never addressed by Warner Bros. It could also be more than just that since filming for the movie has been scheduled to resume in February.

Local student newspaper Cherwell has learned that filming on Merton Street was pushed back to Feb. 15 and 16. Production will then move to Catte Street and New College Lane on Feb. 16 and 17.

The 26-year-old actor will showcase his singing and dancing skills in the film since it has been confirmed that “Wonka” will be a movie musical.

Collider’s sources said that Warner Bros. was initially interested in casting Tom Holland for the role of Wonka. But Deadline reported that Chalamet has always been the top choice for the character. However, scheduling has been a hurdle with the “Call Me By Your Name” star’s busy career.

Aside from Chalamet, “Wonka” also stars Keegan-Michael Key, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Sally Hawkins, Simon Farnaby, Rich Fulcher, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Rowan Atkinson, Mathew Baynton and Olivia Colman.

“Paddington” director Paul King is taking the helm and writing the script with Farnaby. The third live-action adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic will not be related to the first movie that starred Gene Wilder and the second one that featured Johnny Depp.

Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet is pictured attending the BAFTA nominees party on Feb. 17, 2018 in London, England. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images