WONKA 2 Reportedly Set to Begin Production This August as Sequel Plans Move Forward

The chocolate factory doors are opening again. Wonka 2 is reportedly on the way, and things might be moving faster than you might expect.

While the sequel has been quietly developing for a while, a new update reveals that cameras could start rolling as early as this August, putting the film on track for a likely 2027 release.

Director Paul King had already confirmed back in November 2024 that a follow-up to Wonka was in the works, noting that the script was about “half written” at the time. Now, insider DanielRPK reports that production is gearing up to begin in just a few months.

So, Wonka 2 could be the next project Timothée Chalamet jumps into after wrapping Marty Supreme, the film that recently earned him an Oscar nomination.

The first Wonka hit theaters in December 2023 and ended up being a major win for Warner Bros.. Pulling in $632 million worldwide on a $125 million budget, it seemed to connect with audiences in a big way.

Critics were fairly positive too, with an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 66 on Metacritic, but it was general moviegoers who really embraced the film’s tone and charm.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a fan of the movie. There’s something about Gene Wilder’s version of Wonka that still stands as the gold standard, and it’s tough to shake that comparison. That said, audiences clearly found something to love, and that’s what matters when it comes to getting a sequel greenlit.

That movie served as a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, giving us a younger version of Willy Wonka as played by Chalamet. The cast also included Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Colman, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Grant, who brought an Oompa-Loompa to life, which sparked a bit of controversy.

There’s also been some movement behind the scenes at the studio. At one point, Warner Bros. had a mystery “UNTITLED WB FAMILY SEQUEL” dated for December 17, 2027, which many assumed was Wonka 2.

That date has since been claimed by The Hunt for Gollum, the upcoming The Lord of the Rings spinoff directed by Andy Serkis, so the exact release date for Wonka 2 is still up in the air, even if 2027 feels like a safe bet.

As for Chalamet, this move might make a lot of sense. After the heavier and more divisive rollout surrounding Marty Supreme, and the upcoming Dune: Part Three, stepping back into a lighter, crowd-friendly role like Wonka could be exactly the reset he’s looking for.

King, who previously directed the Paddington films, has also been linked to a Labubu movie, though that project still seems to be in early development. Right now, Wonka 2 looks like it’s next up on his slate.

Whether you loved the first film or bounced off it, there’s no denying this franchise has some momentum, and it won’t be long before we start hearing more about what kind of story this sequel plans to tell.

Via: World of Reel