The 'Challengers' actor expresses his desire to portray a dark version of the iconic Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', who was recently portrayed by Timothee Chalamet.
- Apr 29, 2024
AceShowbiz - Josh O'Connor, who recently starred in Luca Guadagnino's "Challengers", has revealed his dream role in an interview with WSJ Magazine. The actor expressed his interest in playing a "dark" version of Willy Wonka, the eccentric chocolate factory owner from Roald Dahl's classic novel.
O'Connor acknowledged that Timothee Chalamet recently portrayed Wonka in an origin story film, but he explained that he would approach the character differently. "I think Gene Wilder's version of him is very dark," O'Connor said, referring to Wilder's portrayal in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." "It's not dark in a sinister way. I think he's a really angry man."
O'Connor elaborated on Wonka's anger by pointing out that the children who win the competition to visit his chocolate factory seemingly disappear. "I mean, it's sort of mad and dark," he said. "So I think I'd just play the truth of it."
O'Connor's previous roles include "Les Miserables", "Emma.", "Peaky Blinders" and "The Crown", for which he won Golden Globes and Primetime Emmys for his portrayal of Prince Charles. In "Challengers", he stars as tennis player Patrick Zweig alongside Zendaya Coleman and Mike Faist. The film received a four-star review from NME, with praise for the exceptional performances and intense chemistry between the leads.
