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Taika Waititi is voicing Willy Wonka in a contemporary, animated twist on the classic Roald Dahl tale Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with animation from KPop Demon Hunters and Spider-Verse studio Sony Pictures Imageworks, Netflix has announced.
Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory, which is set to release in 2027, is described as "brand new adventure set in modern-day London", and will star Heartstopper's Kit O'Connor as Charlie Paley. Despite the familiar name, however, this Charlie is all-new as well.
Co-directed by Jared Stern (The Lego Batman Movie) and Elaine Bogan (Spirit Untamed), rather excitingly the new film boasts animation from KPop Demon Hunters and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse studio Sony Pictures Imageworks, so at the very least expect innovative visuals alongside a fresh take on beloved source material.
"Our directors, Jared and Elaine, have a bold vision befitting this new adventure whilst remaining sympathetic to the legacy, and I'm thrilled to play my part in bringing Willy Wonka to life in animated form," Waititi says, via Netflix. "He is so special to me, and the opportunity to voice such an iconic, eccentric candy genius – if a little mischievous at times – is hugely exciting.”
To go with the first look above, Netflix has also dropped a synopsis for the new movie as well: "Willy Wonka (Waititi) has spent the years since the Golden Ticket contest behind bars (not the chocolate kind) for the crime of turning a child into a blueberry. Having served his time, Wonka returns to his factory determined to add a little sweetness to a bitter world. But one thing stands in his way: teenager Charlie Paley (Connor) and his friends. Facing eviction, this next generation of 'rotten' kids plot to break into the factory, nab a priceless Wonka Bar, and save their homes. But like many before them who enter the fantastical world of the factory, these kids are in for a bit more than they can chew…"
Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory is only the latest Dahl adaptation for Netflix, following the streamer's acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021. Back in the dark ages (aka 2020), there were reports that Waititi would be making not one, but two, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory animated shows for Netflix. As there's been no sign of those in the last six years, it's probably safe to assume that this movie is the result of that development process.
Sony Pictures Imageworks, meanwhile, is on a hell of a run. Last year, KPop Demon Hunters became a global phenomenon – a 2029 sequel, KPop Demon Hunters 2, is currently in the works. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, meanwhile, has been a long time coming, but recently got a fresh look at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory relases on Netlfix in 2027. For more check out our list of the Best Netflix movies, or look ahead with our guide to what's new on Netflix in May.
