The biggest change Tim Burton makes in his adaptation of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory is also why the movie doesn’t work. Tim Burton’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory departs from Roald Dahl’s book and the original adaptation, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, in many ways. It is no surprise that Tim Burton’s movie has somewhat different themes than the original adaptation considering how unique Burton’s style is. Still, the 2005 adaptation of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory is widely controversial; in fact, Gene Wilder did not like Tim Burton’s Willy Wonka remake.

Tim Burton’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory changes many things about the original story, from erasing storylines, such as Mr. Slugworth’s trickery, to introducing new characters, such as Charlie’s dad and grandparents. However, the biggest change Tim Burton makes in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory involves incorporating Willy Wonka’s backstory. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory portrays many flashbacks of Willy Wonka’s childhood and the falling out he has with his father.

Why Willy Wonka’s Backstory In Tim Burton’s 2005 Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Movie Didn’t Work

Willy Wonka’s Backstory Takes Away From The Movie’s Themes

Including Willy Wonka’s backstory in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory might initially seem innovative. The original narrative does not provide much information about Willy Wonka—although the list of Willy Wonka movies now includes a feature film entirely focused on Willy Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory‘s twist of Willy Wonka growing up as the son of a fastidious dentist sounds interesting initially but, ultimately, is a disservice to the entire narrative. For one, Charlie Bucket is the protagonist of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.

Of course, Willy Wonka plays a critical role in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, but Charlie Bucket’s character is how the narrative best executes its themes, including greed, social class, kindness, and virtue. Tim Burton’s movie cuts to flashbacks of Willy Wonka’s childhood every few minutes, which takes away from these themes, choosing to focus on family instead. Furthermore, Tim Burton’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory tries to do too many things simultaneously by including Willy Wonka’s backstory. As a result, Willy and Charlie fight for narrative attention without either arc being fully fleshed out.

Tim Burton’s Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Still Would’ve Been Divisive Without Wonka’s Childhood

Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Is An Iconic Classic

Tim Burton’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory would still be controversial even if the film did not include Willy Wonka’s childhood flashbacks. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a beloved adaptation, and to see anyone other than Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka would’ve been difficult.

Although Roald Dahl eventually renounced Mel Stuart’s adaptation, he wrote the initial screenplay for this movie, illustrating his heavy involvement in production. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory is much further removed from Roald Dahl’s book than Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Remakes have become a cornerstone of today’s film industry, but they were not as common in 2005. Furthermore, with Paul King’s Wonka movie in 2023 adhering to the aesthetic of the original film and giving that version of Willy Wonka an extended origin story, Tim Burton’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory feels even more isolated from the rest of the franchise.