Bath takes center stage in the highly anticipated Wonka movie released on December 8. The film, crafted by the creators of the successful Paddington films, explores the origin story of Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s classic novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Starring Timothée Chalamet in the lead role and featuring a star-studded ensemble cast, including Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, and Hugh Grant, the movie drew excited crowds to witness the transformation of the city into a winter wonderland, with iconic locations such as Parade Gardens and Bath Street adorned with artificial snow for filming.
The presence of Timothee Chalamet generated immense excitement, drawing eager onlookers to Bath for a potential glimpse of the star in action. Filming, facilitated by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s film office, aimed to minimize disruption to residents and businesses while showcasing the city’s picturesque backdrops.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, highlighted Bath’s appeal to filmmakers, emphasizing how productions like “Bridgerton” and “Wonka” demonstrate the city’s versatility in providing compelling settings for varied genres.
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Beyond the cinematic allure, the economic impact of film production is evident, with significant contributions to the UK economy and job creation. Building on the success of previous screen tourism, such as the popular Bridgerton-related tours, the presence of “Wonka” is expected to further elevate Bath’s draw for tourists, offering them another engaging reason to explore the city.
Kathryn Davis, CEO of Visit West, noted the global trend of screen tourism, emphasizing how the anticipation surrounding “Wonka” and its star-studded cast showcases Bath as a key destination, underlining the potential for increased visitor interest, particularly post-Christmas.