Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (film)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 2005 film based on the 1964 children's book of the same title by author Roald Dahl (see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). It was directed by Tim Burton and stars Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket.

Production

According to those involved with the creation of the film, the main vision behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was for the film to be a closely adapted and slightly modernized version of the original 1964 children's book by Roald Dahl, and not a remake of the original 1971 musical film version, titled Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Related Topics:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - 1964 - Roald Dahl - 1971 - Musical film - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

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For a comparison between the book and two films, please see differences between the book and film versions.

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The production team of Brad Grey and Richard D. Zanuck found imaginative director Tim Burton to be the ideal choice for the film. After agreeing to direct, Burton hired Big Fish screenwriter John August, who, interestingly, had read the book as a child, but never viewed the 1971 film. Burton recommended that August complete his first draft of the screenplay before viewing it. http://johnaugust.com/archives/2004/did-i-ever-watch-the-original-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.

Related Topics:
Brad Grey - Richard D. Zanuck - Tim Burton - Big Fish - Screenwriter - John August - 1971 - Screenplay

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Casting and setting

Several actors were considered for the role of Willy Wonka, including rumours of shock rocker Marilyn Manson as the eccentric candy man. Once Burton was part of the project, he immediately chose friend Johnny Depp, who had previously starred in Burton's films Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, and the now-released Corpse Bride, to fill Wonka's shoes. Depp agreed, and also convinced Burton to hire young Finding Neverland co-star Freddie Highmore as the new Charlie Bucket and Jordan Fry as the new Mike Teavee.

Related Topics:
Shock rocker - Marilyn Manson - Johnny Depp - Edward Scissorhands - Ed Wood - Sleepy Hollow - Corpse Bride - Finding Neverland - Freddie Highmore - Charlie Bucket - Mike Teavee

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The entire film was shot at Pinewood Studios, just outside of London, the same studios that most of the James Bond films were shot. Filming began on June 15, 2004. Burton preferred to avoid using computer-generated imagery, instead building actual full-size sets, created by production designer Alex McDowell.

Related Topics:
Pinewood Studios - London - James Bond - June 15 - 2004 - Computer-generated imagery

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