Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman and Rowan Atkinson have descended on London’s Royal Festival Hall for the world premiere of their film Wonka.
The 27-year-old star, in a pink, plush, velvet suit and custom necklace by Cartier, was all smiles for the media and fans—a visual testament to his lovely demeanour, and one cemented by his co-stars.
“I think it’s a stroke of genius having [Timothée Chalamet] as the early Wonka. He’s magical and gentle, he’s extraordinary on screen,” Chalamet’s costar Olivia Colman told the Associated Press. “And he’s that lovely, gentle presence. He’s almost like a human Paddington!”
Directed by Paul King, Chalamet stars as Willy Wonka, the beloved chocolate-loving character at the centre of Roald Dahl’s best-selling book Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. This film delves into the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
Also starring bumbling Englishmen Hugh Grant and Rohan Atkinson, the big screen fantastical spectacle—filled to the brim with colour and music and magic—realises Chalamet’s incredible breadth as an actor (he’s really funny!) as he takes on the role of the relentlessly enthusiastic Wonka determined to change the world one chocolate at a time. The film’s message is clear: the best things in life happen for those who dare to dream.
King recently revealed to Rolling Stone that, after seeing his viral high school performances on YouTube, Chalamet did not have to audition for the role.
“It was a straight offer because he’s great and he was the only person in my mind who could do it,” King said. “But because he’s Timothée Chalamet and his life is so absurd, his high school musical performances are on YouTube and have hundreds of thousands of views. So I knew from stanning for Timmy Chalamet that he could sing and dance really well.”
Wonka will release into Australian cinemas on December 14.