Hollywood star Hugh Grant's casting in 'Wonka' stirs sparks backlash
Actor's casting as Oompa Loompa in the film comes under attack from dwarf actors
Actor Hugh Grant’s portrayal of an Oompa Loompa in the upcoming film ‘Wonka’ has been one of the movie trailer’s biggest highlights, though it’s also had its new share of controversy as certain dwarf actors have attacked the casting choice, stating that studios are closing their doors for dwarf actors.
Famous British dwarf actor George Coppen who has been seen in projects such as ‘The School of Good and Evil’ and ‘Willow’ told BBC in an interview, “A lot of people, myself included, argue that dwarfs should be offered everyday roles in dramas and soaps, but we aren’t getting offered those roles.”
“One door is being closed, but they have forgotten to open the next one.” He further added, “They’ve enlarged his head so his head looks bigger. (I thought) what the hell have you done to him?”, as reported by 'The Hollywood Reporter'.
In the movie trailer, Wonka meets Grant’s Oompa Loompa, who is inside a glass jar, and upon witnessing the small humans for the first time, he says “So you’re the funny little man who’s been following me?”
The Oompa Loompa then proceeds to reply, “I will have you know that I am a perfectly respectful size for an Oompa-Loompa.” In the film, the Oompa Loompa played by Grant is 20 inches tall, while the average height of an adult with dwarfism is 58 inches.
In an earlier interview with 'The Hollywood Reporter', director Paul King had said that Hugh Grant was the perfect candidate to play an Oompa Loompa, as the characters are noted for their morbid and sarcastic sense of humour, and he needed somebody to embody that.
‘Wonka’ acts as a prelude to Roald Dahl’s famous novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and tells the story of how the eccentric and sketchy chocolatier Willy Wonka became the massive candy titan he is in the book.
As such, the movie is an origin story about Willy Wonka where ‘Dune’ actor Timothee Chalamet will play the titular role of a younger version of Willy Wonka, which will cover his childhood, love of chocolates and making them an how he meets the mischievous Oompa Loompas.