The story of Willie Wanka and his chocolate factory has been told and re-told both in the

classic Roll Dahl children's books and in two hit films. Now Wanka has his own

colorful whimsical prequel. The new movie musical Wanka stars Timothy

Shalame in the title role and was co-written and directed by Paul King who

directed both of the Paddington films.

I'm Stephen Thompson.

And I'm Linda Holmes.

Today we're talking about Wanca on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.

Joining us today is NPR producer J.C. Howard.

Hey there, J.C.

Hello.

And also with us is co-host of Slate's Icy Y am I podcast and former P.C.H. producer Candice Lim, welcome back Candice.

Hello.

It's always good to have people here for any reason but especially this reason. So Roll Dahl's

1964 children's book Charlie in the Chocolate Factory first told the story of

Willie Wanka an eccentric chocolatier who makes magical candies with the aid of the ompalumpas.

The book was later adapted into the classic 1971 film Willie Wanca and the chocolate, which starred Gene Wilder and was again re-told in Tim Burton's 2005 remake Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, which starred Johnny Depp.

Now in Wanka, Timothy Shalame takes on the role of a young

Willie Wanca. He arrives in the big city with dreams of opening a chocolate shop,

but his plans are complicated by a veritable Whitman's sampler of villains.

There's the wicked Mrs Scrubit, played by Olivia Coleman and her oofish side kick,

who trick Willie Wanka into indentured servitude at their laundromat.

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