Hugh Grant says he “hated” playing an Oompa Loompa in ‘Wonka’
Ahead of the cinematic release of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel movie, Wonka, Hugh Grant has revealed that he “hated” his role as an Oompa Loompa.
Wonka was directed by Paul King, who sought to capture Willy Wonka’s early rise to prominence as the unhinged chocolatier. Although the movie is set in the universe of Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s novel Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, King took creative licence in his extension.
Grant is cast as Lofty, one of Wonka’s Oompa Loompa employees in the movie. As the Oompa Loompas are fantastical creatures of short stature, Grant’s appearance was altered using motion-capture technology.
For several months, Grant’s role has been the source of controversy. Now, Grant has discussed his experience on sett. “It was like a crown of thorns,” said Grant during a recent press conference, referring to the many cameras aimed at his body at all times. “I made a big fuss about it, I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more,” he added.
Grant also explained that he was never told whether he had to act with his entire body or just his face. “I never received a satisfactory answer. And frankly, what I did with my body was terrible, and it’s all been replaced with an animator,” he said.
Although Grant’s misgivings appear rooted in on-set difficulties, several prominent figures have criticised the casting decision. The Jackass stunt performer Wee Man noted in a TikTok video: “So I guess Hugh Grant, you’re now identifying as a little person. Huh, interesting.”
While previously discussing the film, which is set for cinematic release on December 8th, King admitted it came with its difficulties. He explained: “That’s definitely the challenge of it because he’s a very mysterious figure in the books. He’s shut in this factory, and nobody’s seen him for years, and Grandpa Joe has some stories about him, but nobody’s entirely sure how true they are.”
“But I also felt – maybe misguidedly, but just probably from those childhood readings – that I did know who this person was,” King added.
Watch the trailer for Wonka below.
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