#First Look At Timothée Chalamet As Willy Wonka Or Possibly Gonzo The Great

Now — is Timmy (as pointed out by /Film’s own Chris Evangelista) dressed almost exactly like Gonzo the Great in “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” Yes. Is this all the more reason to look forward to the young Willy Wonka movie? Also yes.

Chalamet’s costume is effectively a slightly scruffy and dressed-down version of the top hat and purple coat that Willy Wonka wore in Quentin Blake’s original illustrations for Roald Dahl’s 1964 book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which “Wonka” will serve as a prequel to. Costume designer Lindy Hemming has some impressive credits to her name, including “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Die Another Day,” and (of course) the “Paddington” movies, so it will be interesting to see what other looks she creates for “Wonka.”

One unavoidable problem with Chalamet’s outfit is that he has big shoes to fill. The late, great Gene Wilder gave a definitive performance as the unpredictable candy creator in 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Fifty years later, is the world ready for a new Wonka?

Well, if they invent lots of weird tie-in candy products to promote the movie, I’m in.

“Wonka” arrives in theaters on March 17, 2023.