In 1971, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory made its release with Paramount Pictures, based on one of the best-selling children’s books of all time. The film wasn’t an initial success only earning $ 4 million worldwide, with a $3 million budget.
We all know the story too well - a poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory, with Gene Wilder as the flamboyant, larger-than-life Willy Wonka himself.
However, that little film, continued to grow. And grow. And grow.
In 2005, the remake Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was released by Tim Burton and starred Johnny Depp and now this year we are about to live through the December release of another remake, Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant (as an Oompa Loompa) and Rowan Atkinson (as a priest).
To promote the film, Sydney’s Darling Square has teamed up with Warner Brothers, transforming the area into a Wonka factory wonderland December 1-27. Visitors to the precinct can expect to find a four-metre-high, Christmas tree-shaped lolly jar for a magical family photo moment, limited-time retailer specials, roving entertainment and live music.
The Square will also be decked out in spectacular decorations that will delight and inspire visitors of all ages, from a hanging umbrella installation to fairy lights, fairy floss trees, a Wonka Bar table and more.
Based on the extraordinary character at the centre of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book, the new Wonka film tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
Darling Square retailers will be taking part in the festivities, with scrumptious specials like chocolate French toast with fairy floss at Toastie Smith, or Dopa by Devon’s chocolate kakigori and even The Brothers Café serving Thai tea soufflé pancakes with white Tim Tam crumble and ice cream.
A Christmas tree-shaped lolly jar will be situated outside The Exchange where visitors will have the chance to guess how many lollies are in the jar. The winner? In true Charlie-style, the winner will receive a prize package for four people including return flights to the Gold Coast, $500 spending money for transfers and meals, four nights hotel accommodation and Warner Bros Movie World passes plus other amazing prizes for the whole family!
Additional prizes include more than 10 x family season passes to see Wonka in cinemas and Darling Square retailer offers.
Be sure to visit on weekends, as there will be delightful and magical acts from roving entertainers bringing the Square to life, face painting, Santa visits, magicians, DJs and giveaways.
From fans of old to those about to enter the magical world of Wonka for the first time, there’s no better place to join in the fun than Darling Square. Check out the full revised menu offerings and daily lineups at Darling Square, right here.
