Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton on the set of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2005).
© Warner Bros. Pictures

Related Links

0

Tim Burton and The Chocolate Factory

When you hear that director Tim Burton is re-imagining Roald Dahl's famous children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it's one of the few times you won't hear a groan echoing throughout the global collective consciousness at another beloved classic being remade. After all, Charlie is the type of movie (like Sleepy Hollow) where you recognize Burton was born to make it.

"I remember growing up and the book having a lot of impact on me," says Burton. "There weren't many authors in my mind that captured that feeling of light and dark that spoke to children and adults at the same time, even though it's a bit more commonplace now."

While many view the 1971 Gene Wilder film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as a classic, Burton didn't want to compete with the earlier film and was more interested in adapting the Dahl book more faithfully.

"I wanted to keep it true to the book and things that were in there," says Burton. "It's a strong book."

The process for bringing Charlie to the big screen was a long one. Various directors and writers had been on board over the years, and everyone from Jim Carrey to Will Ferrell were considered for the role of Willy Wonka.

"The tact we took was to go back to the book," says Burton. "If not, then why make this to begin with?" For the full story, check out the next issue of Cinescape