Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (film)/Trivia


 * Hey, It's That Voice!: The Narrator is Geoffrey Holder, better known as Baron Samedi.
 * What Could Have Been:
 * Martin Scorsese was reportedly considered for the director's job. Marilyn Manson was rumored to be his choice for Wonka, and Manson did campaign for it in any case.
 * Michael Keaton was the original choice to play Wonka.
 * Before Burton was signed on, other rumored Wonkas ranged from Robin Williams to Will Smith to Nicolas Cage. And once he was, he considered Christopher Walken before going with Depp.
 * Michael Jackson, according to his brother Jermaine's book You Are Not Alone, was all set to campaign for the Wonka role -- and then he was charged of child molestation for the second time and had to give up that idea.
 * Sam Neill auditioned for the role of Mr. Salt, but Burton said he wanted Johnny Depp to be the only name actor in the movie. (As for Christopher Lee's appearance, that may be a case of Creator Thumbprint.)
 * Gregory Peck was first offered the role of Grandpa Joe, and he told Warner Brothers that he'd consider it. Sadly, he died before he could give his answer, but his family has revealed he was very eager to play the part. The only reason he didn't say yes right away was because he was afraid it would make him seem desperate and cause the studio to give him a lower paycheck.
 * Johnny Depp was so pleased with Freddie Highmore's work in Finding Neverland that he asked Tim Burton to let Highmore screen test.


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