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Original poster

Willy wonka - Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp??

107 replies

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/04/2022 18:09

The DC have listed to the story and want to watch the film. I've only seen the 1971 version. I usually like Johnny Depp but wasnt convinced by the trailer, but wonder if the dc would prefer the modern version.

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 15/04/2022 21:20

I liked everything about the newer version apart from Jonny Depp's performance, which was a weird, sinister Poundshop-Michael Jackson impersonation which made me uncomfortable.

I liked the old version very much, but I'd love to see a new version - with a decent actor in the lead role, rather than a narcissistic weirdo - because the potential for magical special effects is limitless. The old version is visually dated.

Longdistance · 15/04/2022 21:37

I love the story and the best film was definitely with Gene Wilder. Depp was as creepy as fuck. Still think his Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissor Hands hadn’t left him, loner type characters.

donquixotedelamancha · 15/04/2022 21:38

I like Edd Harris as a much older Willy Wonka in the sequel film, Snowpiercer.

Barring that, it's obviously Gene Wilder.

Comedycook · 15/04/2022 21:40

Both me and my DC prefer the original

Original poster
ImFree2doasiwant · 15/04/2022 22:24

@Greensleeves I did quite like it but was bitterly disappointed by the oompah loompahs!! The children like it. I wasn't keen on Johnny Depp as Wonka.

OP posts:
SpringIsSprung1 · 15/04/2022 22:28

Gene Wilder every time Grin

TroysMammy · 15/04/2022 22:29

Gene Wilder. The Johnny Depp version is too freaky and he's too creepy in it. The Oompa Loompas are computer generated, they are all clones.

GoodJanetBadJanet · 15/04/2022 22:44

Gene Wilder all day, every day.

No comparison!

This!
100%

CrumpetStrumpet · 15/04/2022 22:52

Gene Wilder.
I'm a bit obsessed with him thoughBlush

Alconleigh · 15/04/2022 22:54

Gene Wilder. All day every day. Johnny Depps version is like a really weird impression of Tara Fitzgerald. Utterly bizarre. And soulless.

Liveliferun · 15/04/2022 22:56

Gene Wilder, without a doubt. The movie was on our single terrestrial channel once a year every year between Christmas and New Year, this was before movie channels and streaming services and DVDs and VHS- if you missed it live then you missed it for a whole year. It was one of the most special nights of the year and I still remember the magic of childhood it epitomised.

StormzyinaTCup · 15/04/2022 23:21

I prefer the Johnny Depp WW. I find both Wonkas a bit weird but prefer JD weird, although when I do watch it I'm often oddly distracted by his teeth!

LadyMacduff · 15/04/2022 23:28

I love the Gene Wilder one. I clearly need to try the new version but never have specifically because I dislike Johnny Depp as an actor. I was gutted when they did the big reveal of him as Grindelwald as well and refused to watch the rest of the trilogy.

Nat6999 · 15/04/2022 23:29

Gene Wilder

HopingForMyRainbowBaby · 15/04/2022 23:33

Definitely the one with Gene Wilder. I thought the Johnny Depp version was creepy

Bristlenose · 15/04/2022 23:35

Gene Wilder.

MichelleScarn · 15/04/2022 23:38

@AnImaginaryCat

Johnny Depp version. I'm with Roald Dahl on the Gene Wilder one.
Ditto, it was Charlie and the chocolate factory in the book, not headlining Willy wonka. The JD one much closer to RD idea!
wanttomarryamillionaire · 15/04/2022 23:48

Definitely gene wilder, the jonny depp one is weird and creepy.

ImanAccountant · 15/04/2022 23:50

Gene wilder is so creepy

Ionlydomassiveones · 16/04/2022 00:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

HarrietSchulenberg · 16/04/2022 00:50

Johnny Depp. Gene Wilder is too saccharine and Roald Dahl didn't like his version.

MangyInseam · 16/04/2022 01:46

Gene Wilder for me. Aside from anything else he's oddly sexy in it.

I really hated the Johnny Depp version. There was something about the tone that was wrong, it is hard to put a finger on. His Wonka didn't feel like the book Wonka.

And the whole thing skated over the quirky line into pretentious. Not quite up it's own arse, but over the line for sure.

MangyInseam · 16/04/2022 01:49

@PermanentTemporary

I'd always watch modern films with modern kids because of various disastrous attempts to watch 'classics' together, old films are so SLOW. The sound on the Gene Wilder version is so terrible, it sounds like it was recorded in a bucket.

I do love Pure Imagination though. Until the camera leaves Gene Wilder and you're suddenly watching kids gnawing cardboard toadstools and realising that not having experienced sweet rationing or famine, it doesn't resonate as much with me.

Ha, being all frenetic action is one of the reasons I find many modern films unwatchable.
OytheBumbler · 16/04/2022 01:56

I like them both and I think DC do too. They're like different films really with great bits in both.
I can't remember different endings though?

CityCommuter · 16/04/2022 02:17

Gene Wilder every single time! I love love love Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory... it always reminds me of Christmas holidays when I was kid!