Wonka Unwrapped: Behind-the-Scenes Magic of Production Design

In the enchanting tale of “Wonka,” inspired by Roald Dahl’s beloved character from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” a young chocolate-maker with a pocketful of dreams sets out to change the world, one delicious bite at a time. The film, crafted by Paul King, known for the “Paddington” films, and produced by David Heyman, renowned for “Harry Potter,” “Gravity,” “Barbie,” and “Paddington,” offers a magical blend of magic, music, chaos, and emotion, narrated with heartwarming humor.

Timothée Chalamet takes on the lead role, portraying the young Willy Wonka as he evolves into the world’s greatest inventor, magician, and chocolate-maker.

Discussing Wonka’s distinctive appearance, Chalamet praises costume designer Lindy Hemming, known for her work on “The Dark Knight.” He expresses gratitude for the collaboration with experienced artists like Hemming and production designer Nathan Crowley, who bring their craft to life. Crowley shares insights into the design process, describing how working on “Wonka” allowed him to dive into pure fantasy, creating a whimsical yet believable world. The film’s setting, a fictional city with European influences, transforms into a magical place under Wonka’s influence.

Crowley reflects on the decision to build a backlot for the film, providing creative freedom and avoiding the complexities of filming in real European locations. He highlights the joy of constructing a fantasy world that aligns with the director’s vision. The film’s unique shots and visual journey aim to captivate audiences, offering a delightful and unforgettable experience.

Lindy Hemming, the costume designer, shares her insights on the creative process for “Wonka.”

Discussing the approach to visualizing characters, Hemming mentions that director Paul King finds joy in stories and in the unique aspects of people. She appreciates his encouragement to think about characters in terms of their eccentricities and realities. When she read the script, the ability to visualize the characters became the most crucial aspect for her as a costume designer. Hemming’s goal is to establish immediate connections to the characters through costumes that don’t appear as mere costumes but as pieces of wardrobe with a purpose.

Hemming expresses her excitement about collaborating with King again, citing their successful partnership on the “Paddington” films. She values their instinctive rapport and the open communication they share. According to Hemming, the essential aspect for a costume designer is being in tune with the director, allowing for fruitful conversations and discussions about character interpretations.

Regarding Willy Wonka’s costume, Hemming explains the thought process behind it. She emphasizes that when the audience first meets Wonka, he has been traveling the world in these clothes. The costume reflects the different climates he has encountered, with layers being added or removed based on the weather. The burgundy velvet coat, a key element of Gene Wilder’s Wonka, is introduced when Wonka goes into town after landing from the ship.

Hemming also highlights the significance of color in the film. She describes the meticulous process of dyeing tailored wools for the chocolatiers’ suits to specific colors, as per King’s vision. Each color corresponds to different elements in the chocolatiers’ world, creating a coordinated and visually appealing aesthetic. Overall, color plays a key role in enhancing the visual experience of the film.

Gabriella Cugno, a key member of the set decorating and props team for “Wonka,” took on the role of the behind-the-scenes chocolatier to bring the world’s best chocolatier to life on screen.

After receiving the script, Cugno created six confections, each with up to four different designs, ensuring that the exterior visually represented the interior and conveyed the magic of sweetness. Director Paul King then selected his favorites, providing instructions for the design of the remaining chocolates.

According to King, every edible item in the movie is not only edible but also delicious. Cugno played a crucial role in making this possible. When the need arose for a chocolate teacup reminiscent of Gene Wilder’s iconic scene as Willy Wonka, Cugno swiftly crafted perfect blue cups and saucers made from different blue leaves. The quick and impressive response left an indelible impression on the director.

Cugno collaborated closely with the props team to design molds that would believably align with Willy’s portable chocolate-making case. She used primarily dark chocolate for its strong properties and ensured that dietary requirements, including vegan versions, were met.

The extensive list of chocolates created for “Wonka” includes 900 Hoverchocs, 80 Silver Linings, 85 Big Night Outs, 150 Giraffe Milk Macaroons, 400 Forty Second Sweets (Broadway Show), 200 Hair Repair Éclairs, and 80 Mamma’s Wonka Bars. Additionally, edible flora, such as blue ball flowers, purple flowers, red roses, and the famous last-minute chocolate teacups, were crafted for the Wonka’s Chocolate Shop sequence. Other delightful confections included edible versions of mushrooms, roses, leaves, cherries, cherry blossoms, soil, honeycomb, bees, pears, tree bark, doughnuts, ice creams, and a sweet version of spaghetti and meatballs.

Cugno also meticulously crafted around 400 conventional chocolates, simply molded and painted, representing the confections sold by the Cartel.

Importantly, every chocolate created for “Wonka” was completely hand-tempered and handmade, using all-natural ingredients without artificial flavors or preservatives—an achievement that would undoubtedly make Willy Wonka proud.