Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Director Mel Stuart knew that Gene Wilder would be the perfect Willy Wonka before Wilder even read for the part! Thus, Wilder had some leeway. Before accepting the role, Wilder insisted he would only take it if he could alter his character’s entrance. Seriously, it was Gene Wilder who came up with the wild entrance where Willy limps to the gate with a cane but then stumbles into a lively summersault! He thought this would set the audience up to mistrust his character throughout the film.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
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