While vaccines and a gradual reopening in certain parts of the world may make it feel as if the pandemic is over, COVID-19 continues to be a serious threat. Point in case: filming on Warner Bros.’ Wonka prequel has been halted due to one of the film’s stars testing positive for COVID-19.

Wonka, a prequel to Roald Dahl’s 1964 beloved classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will be directed by Paul King, who is known for his work on critically acclaimed children’s films Paddington and Paddington 2. The Warner Bros. prequel will explore Willy Wonka’s early years before he meets the Oompa Loompas and becomes the well-known eccentric owner of the famous chocolate factory, and it will also be the first entry in a cinematic universe featuring well-known Dahl characters.

Based on reports from The Sun, production on the Willy Wonka prequel film will be stopped for five days as the cast and crew, including star Timothée Chalamet, self-isolate. Reports indicate that the positive test occurred this past Thursday on the Warner Bros. set. “Despite the strict Covid protocols everyone had been abiding with, as soon as there was a positive test on Thursday the whole production shut down immediately as bosses didn’t want to take any chances,” one source added. “There’s a huge amount of money tied up in filming so any delays can become incredibly costly. On-site medical staff are monitoring the situation and won’t make anyone come back until it’s safe.” The majority of the filming so far has been taking place at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.

After casting rumors were brewing for quite a while as to who would be in the titular role, singing and dancing (with big names like Ryan Gosling, Donald Glover, and Ezra Miller all in talks), Chalamet was eventually cast in May 2021, with principal photography beginning the following September in London. Chalamet took to social media last month to share the first glimpse at Willy Wonka in the prequel, hinting that his portrayal will be closely related to Gene Wilder’s 1971 version. The Oscar-nominated star is already having quite the year, leading Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Dune and starring in Wes Anderson’s indie project The French Dispatch, while also set to appear in Netflix’s star-studded ensemble, Don’t Look Up.

In addition, big names such as Olivia Colman (The Crown, The Favourite, MCU’s Secret Invasion), Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), and Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) will also be joining Chalamet in undisclosed roles. King will be co-writing alongside Paddington 2’s Simon Farnaby, while Paddington and Harry Potter’s David Heyman will serve as producer. Other Paddington alumni that will star in Wonka include Tom Davis, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Mathew Baynton, Jim Carter, and Rich Fulcher. The film will include original songs written by the band The Divine Comedy.

Wonka is currently set to be released in theaters on March 17th, 2023.

Source: The Sun