One of the weirder moments in the recently released “Wonka” trailer was Hugh Grant’s casting as an Oompa Loompa. It’s now being criticized by an actor with dwarfism.
Of course, author Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was filled with an incalculable amount of Oompa Loompas, and Mel Stuart’s 1971 movie adaptation cast actors with dwarfism in the role.
George Coppen, a British actor with dwarfism, who starred in “Willow,” now tells the BBC that Grant’s casting pisses him off:
A lot of actors [with dwarfism] feel like we are being pushed out of the industry we love. A lot of people, myself included, argue that dwarfs should be offered everyday roles in dramas and soaps, but we aren’t getting offered those roles. One door is being closed but they have forgotten to open the next one.
Isn’t this basically what Peter Dinklage wanted? Less stereotypical roles being filled in by dwarfs? I don’t think dwarf actors are that excited to play Oompa Loompas, but, I guess, work is work. Maybe Dinklage was trying to eliminate competition with his comments …
Wait until Coppen sees the upcoming ‘Snow White’ remake. Truth be told, as I understand, the Oompa Loompas in Dahl’s novel were meant to be from an undiscovered Pygmy tribe. Pygmyism isn’t dwarfism.
“Wonka” is directed by Paul King (“Paddington”). In the trailer, Chalamet’s Wonka meets Grant’s Oompa Loompa and says: “So you’re the funny little man who’s been following me?” The Oompa Loompa replies: “I will have you know that I am a perfectly respectful size for an Oompa-Loompa.”
It does look as though Grant was CG'd to have dwarfism proportions. “They’ve enlarged his head so his head looks bigger. [I thought] what the hell have you done to him?,” Coppen told the BBC.
“Wonka” is due to release December 15.
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.