Latest news with #WillyWonkaandtheChocolateFactory
Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Willy Wonka child star reveals how much he still earns from film and surprising career choice
The child star who played Charlie in Gene Wilder's 1971 hit film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory still makes a small amount of money from the film after choosing a totally different career Child star Peter Ostrum still makes royalties from his role as Charlie in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 54 years after it was released in 1971. Although Ostrum was one of the classic movie's lead characters, alongside Gene Wilder, he completely turned his back on acting, and instead chose a very different career. Ostrum, now 67, is a retired veterinarian, and is a father of two. He never starred in another film, making his role as Charlie his one and only acting job. In an interview at a screening of the movie at his local Snowtown Film Festival in 2018, he was asked if he makes any money from his short-lived acting career. Due to residuals from screenings of the film on TV, he revealed he gets a cheque for roughly $8 to $9 every few months, despite the Johnny Depp remake making half a billion dollars. It comes after reports Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set for new 'goldmine' offer - but could face issue. During the same interview, he revealed that his wife, Loretta M. Lepkowski, had no idea he had been a small part of Hollywood history when she met him. She said: 'Once I saw it, I realised — 'Wow, he had a major part.'' He spoke about the reception of the movie, which he described as "lukewarm" at the time. Despite having major film star Gene Wilder as the titular character, he said people simply "forgot about it", with it making around $4million at the box office. During a 2021 virtual reunion hosted by Yahoo, Ostrum said: "You can't kill Wonka. It just gets played over and over again, whether the original or the remake with Johnny Depp. "And that brought attention back to our film. Kids saw Johnny Depp's version, their parents said, 'You need to see the original.' "Anything that talks about Wonka is good for the Wonka story. It's a great story and it needs to be retold, regardless of who's producing it or who's making it.' Peter revealed how his life went straight back to normal after he finished filming the movie. Speaking to the Mirror in 2013, Peter said: "I get calls every time there's a new version of the story or some fresh look at the film. You can't kill Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... it keeps resurfacing in different formats. 'We had no idea at the time that it would have any kind of success at all so it's pretty neat that it is still so loved. I know my kids have read it and they liked it.' He added: "I have a great affection for the story idea that if you are honest and hardworking and do the right thing, good things happen to you." Although he went on to get an offer for a three-film deal, he turned it down as he hated spending time away from home. Peter said said: 'I enjoyed doing it but I couldn't really see myself doing it for the rest of my life. How many kids carry a successful child acting career into an adult acting career? "The Jodie Fosters and Ron Howards you can count on one hand. I think I just played myself in the film – in real life I am a horrible singer and they told me that they weren't going to use my voice but they did. 'Acting was fine, but I wanted something more steady. The key is to find something you love doing, and that's what I got."
New York Post
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Willy Wonka' child star reveals how much he still earns from the iconic movie
The residuals from this film did not produce the golden ticket. Fifty-four years after 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' hit theaters in 1971, Peter Ostrum revealed how much he makes from the movie today. Ostrum, 67, who played Charlie Bucket, the lucky winner of the golden ticket, shared in 2018 while at the Snowtown Film Festival that he received $8 to $9 in royalties every three months. Advertisement 8 Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, and Gene Wilder in 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.' Courtesy Everett Collection The money comes from the film being shown on television. Regardless of the monetary amount, Ostrum felt lucky to have had the experience. Advertisement 8 Peter Ostrum in the 2023 documentary 'Remembering Gene Wilder.' Courtesy Everett Collection 'Everybody could be so lucky to have an experience like this and then to go in a completely different direction,' he told the 'Today' show in 2015. 'Willy Wonka' was based on Roald Dahl's 1964 book, and followed five kids who won a golden ticket to tour a magical factory belonging to Wonka (Gene Wilder). The project's initial release made $4 million at the box office. Advertisement 8 Peter Ostrum in the 1971 film. Courtesy Everett Collection After the movie, Ostrum stepped away from Hollywood, but still looks back at his time as a child star fondly. 'There was a little bit of fanfare but not much, and the film died a quiet death,' Ostrum said during a 2018 interview with the Daily Mirror. 'Back then, when the film came out, there was no red-carpet premiere. I was in my hometown in Ohio. It had lukewarm reviews and people forgot about it.' 'It wasn't until video 10 years later that it resurfaced and it took on a life of its own,' he added. 'We had no idea at the time that it would have any kind of success at all, so it's pretty neat that it is still so loved.' Advertisement 8 Peter Ostrum poses at The Hollywood Show in 2014. WireImage Ostrum originally nabbed the role of Charlie after being spotted by talent agents at a children's theater show in Cleveland, Ohio. He had 10 days to leave his hometown and move to Munich, Germany, to shoot the movie with Wilder for five months. Ostrum reflected on his time with the legendary actor, who died at age 83 in 2016. 8 Peter Ostrum in a scene from 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.' Courtesy Everett Collection The retired veterinarian said Wilder 'treated people with respect and dignity' and took on a fatherly role. The 'Blazing Saddles' alum even coached Ostrum in acting. The former actor said Wilder's death was 'like losing a parent,' even though the two hadn't kept in touch. Advertisement 8 Gene Wilder and Peter Ostrum. Courtesy Everett Collection Once filming wrapped, Ostrum spent a week in California after being offered a three-movie deal. He ultimately decided to turn it down. Ostrum's parents had bought him a horse to celebrate the release of 'Willy Wonka,' and he realized his passion lay with animals. 'This person really enjoyed what he did for a living,' he told the American Veterinary Medical Association in an interview. 'My father was a lawyer, and I really didn't have a clue what he did all day. But I knew exactly what the veterinarian did. Someone making a living from something he enjoyed so much really sparked my interest.' Advertisement 8 Peter Ostrum shares a laugh while on stage. Getty Images 'I thought, if that doesn't work, then maybe I could do something else,' Ostrum added. 'But I would always have in the back of my mind, 'you should've tried to get into veterinary school.' If I didn't pursue that, I'd always kick myself.' After the original film, Johnny Depp took on the role of Willy Wonka for the 2005 movie 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' and Timothée Chalamet revived the eccentric candy man in 2023's 'Wonka.' 8 Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson in the 1971 hit movie musical. Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement 'You can't kill Wonka,' Ostrum mused during a virtual reunion with Yahoo in 2021. 'It just gets played over and over again, whether the original or the remake with Johnny Depp. And that brought attention back to our film. Kids saw Johnny Depp's version, their parents said, 'You need to see the original.'' 'Anything that talks about Wonka is good for the Wonka story,' he noted. 'It's a great story and it needs to be retold, regardless of who's producing it or who's making it.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Odessa College hosts film festival for community members
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Odessa College theater department is set to host the 'Globe Film Festival' this weekend. Community members can experience four feature films, original shorts, food trucks, culinary concessions, a red carpet walk, film workshops, panel discussions, audience giveaways, and festival awards. This year's theme is focused on food, and community members were encouraged to submit their own short films. Tickets can be purchased here for $10. Friday's (4/25) schedule of events: 6pm – 8pm Feature Film #1: The Menu 1hr 47min; Rated: R – violence, language 8pm-9pm Food Court + Panel Discussion 9pm-11pm Feature Film #2: Chocolat 2hr 1min; Rated: PG13 – sensuality, violence Saturday's (4/26) schedule of events: 10am-12pm Feature Film #3: Ratatouille 1hr 51min; Rated: G – cartoon violence, mild language 12-1pm Food Court 1-2pm Family Workshop (Animation) 2:30-3:30pm Professional Workshop 4-5pm Original Shorts Celebration 5-6pm Food Court + Panel Discussion 7:30-8:30 Red Carpet Walk 8:30-9pm Audience Awards + Festival Prizes 9pm-11pm Feature Film #4: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 1hr 40min; Rated: G – mild violence, language Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Film on the Rocks drops 2025 summer movie lineup
Red Rocks Amphitheatre announced its summer movie lineup Monday, featuring five beloved blockbusters spanning sci-fi to romcom. Why it matters: This series under the stars is a rite of summer in Colorado. What they're saying:"It's community, it's culture, and it's a Colorado summer night at its best," Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith said in a statement. The big picture: The stacked schedule for the 26th edition of Film on the Rocks includes: 🪐 "2001: A Space Odyssey" on June 9 🏴☠️ "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" on June 23 🍫 "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on June 30 💅 "Legally Blonde" on July 7 🧅 "Shrek 2" on Aug. 18 Zoom in: Each night features pre-show comedy and live music starting at 7pm. Films roll at 8pm.
