Tag: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

  • INTERVIEW| Freddie Highmore: ‘The world is inherently good’

    Express News Service

    Freddie Highmore aka Alfred Thomas Highmore broke onto our screens with his portrayal of Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. Just 13 then, Freddie won audiences’ hearts across the globe with his endearing performance. This wasn’t his debut though, as we’d already seen him in Finding Neverland (2004) and Women Talking Dirty (1999) as a child actor. As the years passed, we were treated to several brilliant performances from the actor like in August Rush (2007), The Spiderwick Chronicle (2008) and The Vault (2021)—which he also produced. 

    His most celebrated role over the years, however, continues to be Dr Shaun Murphy, the autistic protagonist of The Good Doctor (a medical drama TV series based on the 2013 South Korean series of the same name) that began airing in 2017. Season 6 of the series just premiered and is being broadcasted on SonyLIV in India and simultaneously in the USA. We caught up with Freddie to talk about the show, the need for authentic representation of autism, and more.

    Freddie HighmoreWhat will the new season be like for Shaun Murphy?In Season 6, Shaun is already married and that raises the stakes, I think, a bit for him in terms of wanting to have a family and how he can go about that. Shaun is also going to have to take charge, be a boss, tell people what to do; and try to communicate, and also be a mentor. When he was a resident and made a mistake, there was someone to help him see the right way, but when he’s the person who has the ultimate power over that decision, the stakes are that much higher.

    Why do you think the show got popular?You just get lucky, I think, for whatever reason and people responded to the show in general. I’ve always felt like the show has been, despite the inevitable tragedies and traumas, a hopeful one. And I think, in this moment of time—from when the show first released and all the way through COVID-19  and everything that’s happening today in the world—people have enjoyed coming to a space that reminds them—through Shaun’s point of view—that the world is inherently good. 

    In many ways, you are working on two shows simultaneously—one on an autistic individual and the other being a doctor—isn’t that a lot of work?I just feel lucky. It’s funny you mention two shows, because I’ve always felt like that’s what the show is about—at least, from Shaun’s perspective. It is about this guy who has autism and how he’s planning to navigate the world and grow as a person. But, when I look back, I feel like what’s most meaningful isn’t the case of the week; it’s more the way the characters are changed by the experience. So yes, in some ways it is two shows in one, but also, it’s a show about everything other than the medicine that’s happening.

    How close do you feel to Dr Shaun Murphy?It depends on what you mean by close. I think Shaun and I are very different people, but I definitely have affection for him. It would be somewhat deluded on my part to call them close but he does feel familiar now. I think, what’s funny about doing this show in comparison to films that I’ve done or even Bates Motel is just the amount of time that you dedicate to it. We film nine months of the year and so it becomes the focus of your life and that’s partly what makes it meaningful. 

    You’ve been commended for your prep for an autistic person’s role… I know that we’ve all spoken about the preparations that I did initially in terms of autism and that research was required. Over time that research continues but you’re also more aware of how Shaun is as a character. You’re on his individual journey and his individual storyline. And I think, while the research continues to be important, it’s also being aware that we’re telling this one individual story and feeling free to embrace the idiosyncrasies that Shaun has and the way that he might react in this moment—in a way that’s surprising and isn’t something that can be found in a book. It’s been really rewarding to get to know Shaun better in this way, through each of the seasons. 

    Freddie Highmore aka Alfred Thomas Highmore broke onto our screens with his portrayal of Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. Just 13 then, Freddie won audiences’ hearts across the globe with his endearing performance. This wasn’t his debut though, as we’d already seen him in Finding Neverland (2004) and Women Talking Dirty (1999) as a child actor. As the years passed, we were treated to several brilliant performances from the actor like in August Rush (2007), The Spiderwick Chronicle (2008) and The Vault (2021)—which he also produced. 

    His most celebrated role over the years, however, continues to be Dr Shaun Murphy, the autistic protagonist of The Good Doctor (a medical drama TV series based on the 2013 South Korean series of the same name) that began airing in 2017. Season 6 of the series just premiered and is being broadcasted on SonyLIV in India and simultaneously in the USA. We caught up with Freddie to talk about the show, the need for authentic representation of autism, and more.

    Freddie HighmoreWhat will the new season be like for Shaun Murphy?
    In Season 6, Shaun is already married and that raises the stakes, I think, a bit for him in terms of wanting to have a family and how he can go about that. Shaun is also going to have to take charge, be a boss, tell people what to do; and try to communicate, and also be a mentor. When he was a resident and made a mistake, there was someone to help him see the right way, but when he’s the person who has the ultimate power over that decision, the stakes are that much higher.

    Why do you think the show got popular?
    You just get lucky, I think, for whatever reason and people responded to the show in general. I’ve always felt like the show has been, despite the inevitable tragedies and traumas, a hopeful one. And I think, in this moment of time—from when the show first released and all the way through COVID-19  and everything that’s happening today in the world—people have enjoyed coming to a space that reminds them—through Shaun’s point of view—that the world is inherently good. 

    In many ways, you are working on two shows simultaneously—one on an autistic individual and the other being a doctor—isn’t that a lot of work?
    I just feel lucky. It’s funny you mention two shows, because I’ve always felt like that’s what the show is about—at least, from Shaun’s perspective. It is about this guy who has autism and how he’s planning to navigate the world and grow as a person. But, when I look back, I feel like what’s most meaningful isn’t the case of the week; it’s more the way the characters are changed by the experience. So yes, in some ways it is two shows in one, but also, it’s a show about everything other than the medicine that’s happening.

    How close do you feel to Dr Shaun Murphy?
    It depends on what you mean by close. I think Shaun and I are very different people, but I definitely have affection for him. It would be somewhat deluded on my part to call them close but he does feel familiar now. I think, what’s funny about doing this show in comparison to films that I’ve done or even Bates Motel is just the amount of time that you dedicate to it. We film nine months of the year and so it becomes the focus of your life and that’s partly what makes it meaningful. 

    You’ve been commended for your prep for an autistic person’s role… 
    I know that we’ve all spoken about the preparations that I did initially in terms of autism and that research was required. Over time that research continues but you’re also more aware of how Shaun is as a character. You’re on his individual journey and his individual storyline. And I think, while the research continues to be important, it’s also being aware that we’re telling this one individual story and feeling free to embrace the idiosyncrasies that Shaun has and the way that he might react in this moment—in a way that’s surprising and isn’t something that can be found in a book. It’s been really rewarding to get to know Shaun better in this way, through each of the seasons. 

  • Timothee Chalamet reveals first look as young Willy Wonka

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Actor Timothee Chalamet has shared the first look of himself as the young version of author Roald Dahl’s famous character of inventor and chocolate genius Willy Wonka.

    Chalamet posted a photo on Instagram on October 10, 2021, of the eccentric character from the upcoming origin story film “Wonka,” directed by Paul King.

    The story, co-written by King, will focus on a young Willy Wonka and his adventures before opening the world’s most famous chocolate factory.

    “The suspense is terrible, I hope it will last- WONKA” Chalamet, who will be singing and dancing in the several musical sequences set to appear in the film, captioned the post.

    David Heyman is producing the musical via his Heyday Films along with Luke Kelly.

    “Wonka” will be Warner Bros’ third film inspired by Dahl’s classic novel ”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.

    The first big screen adaptation, that came in 1971, starred Gene Wilder as Wonka, while the second movie, released in 2005, featured Johnny Depp in the role.

    Both the films followed a poor boy named Charlie Bucket, who wins a golden ticket to tour the world-famous and heavily guarded chocolate factory.

    “Wonka” is scheduled to debut theatrically on March 17, 2023.

  • Warner Bros announces release date for ‘Wonka’

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Warner Bros is officially moving ahead with “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” prequel, titled “Wonka”.

    Paul King of “Paddington” fame will tackle the movie, which will debut in theatres on March 17, 2023, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

    The project, which has a script from Simon Rich, will follow “a young Willy Wonka and his adventures prior to opening the world’s most famous chocolate factory.”

    David Heyman, whose credits includes the “Harry Potter” franchise and “Paddington”, is backing the movie.

    Based on Roald Dahl’s popular children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, the classic story follows a poor boy named Charlie, who is one of five youngsters to win a golden ticket to tour the world-renowned, yet highly secretive, chocolate factory run by Willy Wonka.

    The character of Wonka was first brought to the screen by legendary actor Gene Wilder with 1971 movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”.

    Decades later, Hollywood star Johnny Deep took over the part with 2005 reboot “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, which was directed by Tim Burton.