CROWDS have gathered in Lyme Regis to get a glimpse of a major film production – with Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet pictured walking along the historic harbour wall.
Warner Bros and the Roald Dahl Story Co’s upcoming movie ‘Wonka’ is currently being filmed on the Cobb in Lyme Regis today and tomorrow.
Starring Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka, the movie is a brand-new adaptation based on the characters created by children’s author Roald Dahl for the beloved novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The prequel, helmed by Paddington director Paul King, will focus on a young Willy Wonka and his adventures before he opened his famous chocolate factory.
In preparation for the two-day filming, the Cobb has been transformed into a winter wonderland and see a young Willy Wonka arrive in England.
Historic vessel Lydia Eva will be used for the scenes showing a passenger steamer bringing the main man to the country.
The vessel, built in 1930 and now restored as a floating museum, arrived at Lyme Regis harbour last month.
Visiting Lyme Regis today, the seaside town has seen a lot of activity with production crews setting up the shots required for the big budget musical.
Daryl Turner, councillor for the Lyme and Charmouth area at Dorset Council, managed to get a photo of Timothée Chalamet in full costume as Willy Wonka walking along the Cobb.
Councillor Turner spoke of how tourists and locals are gathering around the harbour to get a sneak peek at the filming.
He said: "It’s quite exceptional really. There must be hundreds of staff around the harbour.
“There's clearly a lot of interest from holidaymakers and locals, there’s loads of people on the Cobb trying to figure out what’s going on. It’s definitely captured peoples’ attention.
“It’s great for the town and it certainly helps the economy.”
- Are you at the filming? What can you see? Have you bumped into any cast members? Email me at michael.taylor@newsquest.co.uk or tweet @JournoMikeT
Rob James, a resident who runs Love Lyme Regis on social media, was left excited by the production.
He said: “It’s all very positive for the town, always helps to put us on the map.
“It’s a huge production, much bigger than Ammonite. There's a huge amount of people here.”
Jane Hanford, a resident looking to get a glimpse of Timothée Chalamet, said: "He’s my absolute favourite actor so I had to come down to see him.
Filming starts on the Hollywood film "Wonka" Timothee Chalamet films a dramatic scene along the famous Cobb @wonka_news pic.twitter.com/4OpV9oXDgf
— Simon Emmett Images (@Do0kie37) October 11, 2021
“I think he's going to be a huge star.
“It’s big news, it’s exciting to see Willy Wonka in Lyme.
“I can’t believe how much money and work goes into making a scene.”
It is not currently known which other actors will be a part of the filming in Lyme Regis.
Wonka is set to be released on March 17, 2023.
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