It's wall-to-wall Wonka as cinemas prepare to cash in on Timothée Chalamet prequel

It's wall-to-wall Wonka at cinemas in the West Midlands this weekend.

Published Dec 8, 2023

The film, a prequel to the famous 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder, is the big hope for Christmas.

And demand at the box office is so high that many cinemas are reserving the majority of their screens to show it.

Undated film still handout from Wonka. Pictured: (L to r) TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Willy Wonka and director PAUL KING. See PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Wonka. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Wonka. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Jaap Buittendijk/© 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Wonka.

Cineworld at Bentley Bridge has 16 showings today and 22 on Saturday. And Odeon at Merry Hill has 15 showings today and 18 showings on Saturday

Wonka's opening weekend projections are said to be above expectations and with promising reviews it is hoped the film will give cinemas a much needed boost.

Wonka: Timothee Chalamet as Roald Dahl's chocolate king himself

Directed by Paddington's Paul King, the film provides an origin story for the famous chocolatier who first appeared in Roald Dahl's 1964 novel.

Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa

The Wonka cast is led by Timothée Chalamet in the titular role, alongside an ensemble that includes Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa.

Read our review of Wonka here.