Warner Bros.’ “Wonka,” directed by Paul King of Paddington fame and starring Timothée Chalamet, has recouped its $125 million production budget thanks to a robust international roll-out and a strong opening weekend in the United States. The film, a prequel to Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” opened domestically with $39 million and has accumulated $112 million overseas, bringing its early global earnings to $151 million. Last weekend, it grossed over $40 million in select overseas markets, with the U.K. contributing more than $11 million. With a presence in 78 territories, notable success has been seen in Mexico, Spain, and Germany.
Wonka could lead to a new franchise for lead star
Produced by David Heyman, known for the Harry Potter series, “Wonka” is poised to establish a new franchise for Chalamet, the star of “Dune.” Its $39 million domestic opening is Chalamet’s second-highest, trailing only behind “Dune’s” $41 million in 2021. Despite potential for an even bigger year, the delay of “Dune: Part Two” due to the SAG-AFTRA strike limited opportunities. “Wonka” is the first film to get a full promotional push post-strike, with Chalamet being the focal point of its campaign.
Chalamet is the latest to portray the iconic Willy Wonka, following Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp. This year has also seen success for Dahl adaptations, including four Netflix shorts by Wes Anderson. “Wonka” has garnered positive reviews, holding an 84% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- Cinema Score. Collider’s Ross Bonaime highlighted Chalamet’s performance, noting it as a standout amidst the film’s flaws.
Prequel film boasted a strong ensemble cast
Interestingly, Warner Bros. downplayed the film’s musical aspect during its promotion, a strategy considering the genre’s recent box office challenges; a similar approach is being used for the upcoming “The Color Purple.” The success of “Wonka” might influence changes in marketing strategies for future films. The cast of “Wonka” also includes Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, and newcomer Calah Lane.
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