The 6 most fun Wonka facts and why you want to see the movie NOW

While I was researching this topic, I immediately bought three tickets for tonight. Watching Wonka once, the prequel that explains how Willie Wonka became who he is, was not enough for us. I think it's one of the sweetest movies I've seen, and that's due to the amazing cast (Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, and Jim – Downton Abbey – Carter), the original songs, as well as the dreamy decor and the script. Here are some fun facts that will make watching it even more enjoyable.

1. The film was shot in Munich
That was cheaper, and the location matched better with the image the director had in mind.

2. The director gained 22 kilos during filming
Speaking of the director, Paul King, who also directed Paddington: he gained 22 solid kilos while filming Wonka. “We had a chocolatier on set, and he made such delicious things, so we got to taste. There was even a pot of warm chocolate. There was just always a lot of chocolate.”

3. Timothée often got sick from the sweetness.

4. During the opening song, Wonka drops a sovereign (a pound coin) into a well in the street
The observant viewer will see that this is exactly the well where Charlie finds a coin in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ with which he can buy that one bar that turns out to have the golden wrapper. Nice detail.

5. The lead role almost went to Tom Holland
But when director Paul King saw videos on YouTube of a singing and dancing Timothée when he was still in high school, he was completely sold.

6. Timothée did not have to audition.

Oh, and the music guys, the music. The melody, the lyrics; we are fans in… Chocolate letters…