Willy Wonka's been a character in popular character that will forever by synonymous with Gene Wilder's performance in the 1971 film.
While Tim Burton made an imaginative, but kind of scary, reboot with Johnny Depp as Wonka, there's now another one on the way with 'Paddington' helmer Paul King set to direct. As for the all-important titular role, Collider is now reporting that the shortlist is down to three people - Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling and Ezra Miller.
Their sources claim that Warner Bros. are desperate to get Gosling under their roof and even picked up his directorial debut, 'Lost River', just to get him on side with them. Donald Glover, meanwhile, has Disney's live-action adaptation of 'The Lion King' and probably another turn as Lando Calrissian to contend with, whilst Ezra Miller has both 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald' and probably another outing as The Flash to come as well.
It's early days yet, but what'll tell this film apart from Gene Wilder is who takes the role. Gosling seems like an odd choice, because you can't really see him playing a character that has this level of mirth and whimsy. Ezra Miller sort of seems like he'd be too close to Johnny Depp's appearance and style, meaning he'd be kind of creepy in the role. The logical choice here is Donald Glover - he's funny, he can sing, he has that effortless warmth and charm that Gene Wilder so easily passed around on screen, and who wouldn't want to see him do a version of 'Pure Imagination'?
Warner Bros. suits, wrap it up now and give Donald Glover whatever he wants.
