Characters
Willy Wonka – Johnny Depp plays an eccentric choclatier who has serious issues with his father, a dentist, who forbade him from eating candy.
Charlie Bucket – Freddie Highmore Plays a poor but loving young boy who finds a golden ticket and gets to tour the Wonka Chocolate factory.
- Mrs. Bucket - Helena Bonham Carter plays Charlie’s loving mother who always has a good attitude, even in the worst of circumstances.
- Mr. Bucket - Noah Taylor plays Charlie’s father, a poor factory worker. He struggles to provide for his family, especially when he loses his job for a time.
- Grandpa Joe – David Kelly plays Charlie’s fun and loving grandfather. He used to work for Wonka Chocolate Factory, and he goes with Charlie on the exciting tour.
- Grandpa George – David Morris plays Charlie’s other Grandpa. At first he doesn’t believe Charlie has a chance at finding the golden ticket, but he teaches Charlie the important lesson that some things are more important than money.
- Augustus Gloop - Philip Wiegratz plays an overweight, gluttonous German boy who is always seen wolfing down Wonka candy.
- Mrs. Gloop – Franziska Troegner plays Augustus’ large and indulgent mother.
- Veruca Salt - Julia Winter plays a spoiled little girl who gets what she wants every time she screams “Daddy!”
- Mr. Salt – James Fox plays spoiled Veruca’s father.
- Violate Beauregarde – Annasophia Robb plays a hypercompetitive and stuck-up little girl who is a “winner” at all costs.
- Ms. Beauregarde - Missi Pyle plays Violet’s perfectionist and competitive mother.
- Mike Teavee – Jordan Fry plays a highly intelligent and arrogant video game addict.
- Mr. Teavee – Adam Godley plays Mike’s father who cannot stand up to his son.
- Oompa Loompas – Deep Roy is digitally reduced and reproduced to play the tribe of Oompa Loompas who work in the Wonka Chocolate Factory and sing about the mishaps of the naughty children.
- Mr. Wonka – Christopher Lee plays the dentist who sternly forbids Willy Wonka to eat candy and drives him to run away and later open a candy factory.
Themes and Topics to Discuss with Kids:
- In the beginning, the movie emphasizes several themes around luck. What part does luck play in life? Did Charlie find the lucky ticket because he “deserved” it? What are the probabilities of winning in real life games, contests, and lotteries based on luck?
- Charlie’s family is extremely poor. Does poverty exist in our world today? How can people who live in such humble circumstances still be happy?
- What causes people to lose their jobs, and how does it affect their families?
- Grandpa George teaches Charlie a lesson about money. What kinds of things are more important than money?
- In what ways do families help and support each other during good and bad times?
- The other children who toured the factory with Charlie displayed bad behavior and were meted out a just consequence. How do our decisions lead to consequences in real life?
- The Oompa Loompas blame the parents for some of their children’s bad behavior. How do parents cause this type of behavior? Should children also be held accountable for their actions?
- In the movie, Willy Wonka makes a reference to “cannibalism.” Some children may pick up on the word and want to know what it means.
