Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- Page 5

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 10:05am

I think I like Willy Wonka with the crazy, unkempt hair, more like Gene Wilder---as if the last thing on his mind would be primping.

The "mad scientist," as opposed to the "dapper dan."

I think it fits the character better.

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 10:23am

Not that it matters much, but Hodge is dressed and made up exactly like Quentin Blake's illustrations of Willy Wonka from the books and their original paperback covers.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 12:10pm

That probably makes sense for later generations who aren't familiar with the original book illustrations by Joseph Schindelman. Wonka had the crazy hair and was more impish in the initial release ...

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 12:14pm

They definitely bordered on the grotesque, more along the lines of political cartoons. Here's the original illustration of Violet Beauregarde's nose turning purple.




EDIT: By the way, I'm sure one of the reasons the book was re-illustrated for later releases had to do with the depiction of the Oompa Loompas, who looked like little African Pigmies originally. There was a whole racial undertone of Wonka's slaves that didn't sit so well with people (understandably). They were not orange-skinned with green hair and white eyebrows, to be sure.

Of course when they did re-illustrate the book, there was an outcry of "censorship" as well.

Updated On: 5/28/13 at 12:14 PM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 12:22pm

The prose of the book itself was changed to make the Oompa-Loompas less offensive, I believe.

[lotiloti]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 12:33pm

Of course, g.d.e.l.g.i. it's going to play on broadway. You really think WB are investing their millions, just for a production in London only.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 12:34pm

I think Wonka reminds me more of Jason Danieley in a crazy wig.

Actually I think Jason would be great in the part.

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 12:38pm

Yes. He would be amazing! I totally could see that. It's about time he had a good part. (I do think the plan was to try to bring Douglas Hodges over, though.)

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 12:43pm

Oh, I'm sure they wanted someone who was known both on Broadway and the West End, who could open the show in both places. An Olivier and a Tony Award cinched that deal, I'm sure.

But didn't Jason do the Full Monty in London. Still, he's not as well known there, I'll bet.

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 3:10pm

They had Martin Short, Shaiman's longest-term performing partner, lined up for Wonka, but went with Hodge instead for reasons that have never been officially disclosed.

[The Josh]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 4:54pm

I love the idea of Douglas Hodge as Wonka, but if it were Martin Short I'd be first in line!

[Jonwo]

Posted: 5/28/13 at 6:01pm

I wasn't keen on the facial hair but its closer to the Quentin Blake illustration than Wilder and Depp.