Timothee Chalamet has been confirmed to star in the musical fantasy film, Wonka, directed by Paul King. The actor’s earnings have reportedly risen significantly in the past two years, with him receiving a staggering $9 million for his upcoming role. However, it’s worth noting that Tom Holland, Zendaya’s boyfriend, was in the running for the role and narrowly missed out to Chalamet.
Timothee Chalamet and Tom Holland were top contenders for Wonka (2023)
When Timothee Chalamet played the role of a love-struck teenager in Call Me By Your Name, the movie let his name echo at the Academy Awards stage. As Chalamet sat with a nomination in a crucial category and those glittery eyes, a lot of folks were already convinced that Hollywood was dealing with an upcoming blockbuster superstar.
Tom Holland Was A Strong Contender For Wonka’s Seven-Figure Salary
Willy Wonka’s character in the upcoming musical fantasy has been a dream role of many A-listers like Ryan Gosling, Donald Grover, and Ezra Miller, some of the contenders whose names have echoed since 2016. But for a movie like this, where Harry Potter producer David Heyman and Paddington director Paul King, are working in sync, only Tom Holland and Timothée Chalamet could make sense.
Gene Wilder first appeared as Willy Wonka in the 1971 classic
While it’s true that the Dune star managed to leave these legends behind in the race for Willy Wonka’s role, what is also true is that Tom Holland was another promising actor who was being eyed for this role. It was reported that he almost snatched the role from Zendaya’s rival, whom he wanted to cast as the evil Harry Osborn.
If that happened, MCU’s Spider-Man could also have taken away the $9 million, the Bones and All actor, reportedly received for this role. During a recent interview, Chalamet’s co-star Keegan-Michael Key shed light on the upcoming movie, stating:
“I would agree with all the adjectives Timothée used, and I would also like to add the words ‘wondrous’ and ‘a little bit epic.’ It’s a nice, big, full, beautiful piece of art, and Paul King, who directed it, is a delightful human being who has this wonderful, childlike heart. He was the perfect person to direct the project.”
The upcoming movie, which follows the adventures of a young Willy Wonka, is scheduled to release on December 15, 2023. Interestingly, Neil Hannon from The Devine Comedy contributed to the music of Wonka (2023).
The Beloved Character Of Willy Wonka
Will Wonka remain of the most beloved characters from many people’s childhood memories? Wonka, who appeared for the first time in Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, loved children except for his love for making candies.
While the younger generation saw Johnny Depp playing the quirky role in the 2005 film adaptation, the older generation was taken away by Gene Wilder’s role in the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Undoubtedly, both the actors did justice and were heavily praised for their performances.
Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
It was reported that Warner Bros. was seriously looking for an actor in their mid-twenties to play a role, that’s been previously put to justice by actors like Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder. Tom Holland and Timothee Chalamet, being the perfect choices back then, were two of the most-eyed actors for this legendary role.
As success grew, so does his appetite for playing for seven-figure salaries. Having a total net worth of $25 million, Timothee Chalamet has proven worthy of playing Willy Wonka, courtesy of his perfect jawline, floppy hair, and of course, immense talent. If looking to travel down memory lane, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory can be rented and purchased on iTunes.
