Tim Burton and the Chocolate Factory

Scott Hardie | May 24, 2003
This sort of thing often turns out to be rumor (I was thrilled until I learned Burton wasn't going to remake "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes"), but it's interesting none the less: According to MSNBC, Tim Burton is in talks with Roald Dahl's estate to direct a new film version of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." And as of this writing, the opinion poll is split 50-50 for and against a possible remake. Comments?

Anna Gregoline | May 24, 2003
I tend to hate remakes, although part of me wants to see this new one for two reasons: 1. It will be deliciously creepier than the first one (must better than the boat rhyming incident, and if you've read the books, you know how creepy it really can get) and 2. There will be happy factory music from Danny Elfman, who is one of my favorite contemporary composers.There. I have spoken.

Jackie Mason | May 25, 2003
[hidden by request]

Scott Hardie | May 25, 2003
You're right about the existing version of "James and the Giant Peach," Jackie, but it was Tim Burton who made it. Well, he made it in the sense that he produced it, which is almost the extent of involvement he had with "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas." My favorite Dahl book was always Danny the Champion of the World, but it wouldn't make for much of a good movie, by Burton or otherwise. :-\

Anna Gregoline | May 25, 2003
I loved that story too!!! Although my favorite Roald Dahl book was the one of short stories...they were very dark.

Anna Gregoline | May 25, 2003
Of course, that's why kids like him, I think. He has dark elements in the stories, they feel more realistic then.