Plans to remake 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory have been ill-received by fans who have dubbed it a remake "nobody asked for or wanted".
On Thursday, Variety announced Hollywood studio Warner Bros had acquired the rights to the Willy Wonka tale from the Roald Dahl estate.
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The timing of the announcement by Warner Bros to make a prequel for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has been slammed by fans on of the late Gene Wilder.
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Willy Wonka fans slam remake plans
The timing of the announcement by Warner Bros to make a prequel for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has been slammed by fans on of the late Gene Wilder.
The remake will be a prequel and will focus on chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka's early adventures, unlike the cult film which saw the eccentric character give away his factory to a boy named Charlie.
But the announcement comes less than two months after the death of actor Gene Wilder, who played Wonka in 1971, and the insensitive timing hasn't been lost on fans.
On Twitter, one film editor called it an "insult to Gene Wilder's legacy" while others suggested it would "sully" his character.
Wrote one fan: "How do you dishonour the memory of Gene Wilder? Announce a remake that nobody has asked for or wanted. Well done Warner Bros. You idiots."
It's not a great start for the remake from Harry Potter producer David Heyman and Inside Out writer, Simon Rich.
In 2005, director Tim Burton and Warner Bros. teamed up to create eccentric remake Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with Johnny Depp starring as Wonka.
The film and Depp's performance received mixed reviews from critics but made a respectable $US475 million ($615 million) at the box office.
Gene Wilder chose not to see the film and in interviews said he wasn't happy with Burton or Depp's work.
"I like Johnny Depp, I like him, as an actor I like him very much. But when I saw little pieces in the promotion of what he was doing, I said I don't want to see the film, because I don't want to be disappointed in him," Wilder said in 2007.
In 2013, he went on to criticise Burton, calling the remake an "insult".
"I think it's an insult. It's probably Warner Brothers' insult. Johnny Depp, I think, is a good actor, but I don't care for that director. He's a talented man, but I don't care for him doing stuff like he did."
Casting announcements are yet to be announced for the Warner Bros. sequel, while there is no word on who will direct.
2016 has been filthy rich with insults to Gene Wilder's legacy. https://t.co/yMizzdsevo AND https://t.co/vG2aOR08y0
— Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) October 19, 2016
Gene Wilder hasn't been dead long enough for a studio to sully his character with a prequel.
— Michael Lee (@eelyajekim) October 19, 2016
How do you dishonor the memory of Gene Wilder? Announce a remake that nobody has asked for or wanted. Well done Warner Bros. You idiots. https://t.co/mySg0K6ORA
— Jake George Potts (@ShakeyJake25) October 19, 2016
I guess you had to wait until Gene Wilder had a grave before he could spin in it. https://t.co/EvJspQx2Ds
— Dave Elliott (@The_Iceman2288) October 19, 2016
LET GENE WILDER REST IN PEACE https://t.co/Od6bRPQ76k
— the Dude (@GothamDuder) October 19, 2016
gene wilder isn't even cold in his grave yet.......... https://t.co/df89Pmb5Qm
— sara (@atavanhalens) October 19, 2016