Factory Exterior

Lore & Background

The Wonka Factory had been closed to the public for years after industrial espionage problems led to the dismissal of all employees, including Charlie's Grandpa Joe. The exterior remained a source of wonder and mystery for the local children, who could only imagine the wonders inside. When Willy Wonka announced the Golden Ticket contest—placing five tickets in random Wonka Bars worldwide—the factory's exterior became the focal point of a global frenzy. The winners would receive a full tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate, with one winner receiving an additional prize at the end. The exterior gates finally opened to admit the five ticket holders: the gluttonous Augustus Gloop, the spoiled Veruca Salt, the arrogant gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde, the ill-tempered Mike Teavee, and the kind-hearted Charlie Bucket, who brought his Grandpa Joe along as his companion.

In Their Own Story

Charlie Bucket, a kind and loving boy living in poverty with his family, passes the Wonka Factory every day. The factory's owner, Willy Wonka, had long closed it to the public due to industrial espionage, which also caused all his employees, including Charlie's Grandpa Joe, to lose their jobs. Charlie's father had more recently been laid off from his own job at a toothpaste factory, though he did not admit this to Charlie. One day, Wonka announced a contest: Golden Tickets had been placed in five random Wonka Bars worldwide, and the winners would receive a full tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate, with one receiving an additional prize at the end. Sales skyrocketed. The first four tickets were found by Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Mike Teavee. Charlie tried twice to find a ticket but failed. After overhearing that the final ticket was found in Russia, Charlie found a banknote and purchased a third Wonka Bar. The Russian ticket was revealed to be a forgery just as Charlie discovered the real ticket inside his wrapper. He received monetary offers but, after a pep talk from Grandpa George, decided to keep it and brought Grandpa Joe to accompany him on the tour.

Reader's Guide

The factory exterior is first seen as the five ticket holders and their companions gather outside the gates, where they are greeted by Willy Wonka himself. The building's imposing facade sets the stage for the wonders within. Key landmarks visible from the exterior include the main gates, the silent smokestacks, and the massive structure that houses the Chocolate Room, which was constructed on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios complete with a faux chocolate waterfall and river. The exterior serves as the threshold between the ordinary world of Charlie's impoverished home and the extraordinary, magical realm of Wonka's factory. The atmosphere outside is one of anticipation and mystery, contrasting sharply with the vibrant, surreal interior where the Oompa-Loompas—all performed individually by actor Deep Roy—sing songs of morality after each child's elimination due to their character flaws.

Did You Know?

• The Wonka Factory exterior was inspired by Roald Dahl's original description, and Tim Burton visited Dahl's former home in Great Missenden during pre-production, where Dahl's widow Liccy showed him the original handwritten manuscripts.
• The Chocolate Room inside the factory was built on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios, complete with a faux chocolate waterfall and river.
• Squirrels were trained from birth specifically for Veruca Salt's elimination scene from the tour.
• Actor Deep Roy performed each Oompa-Loompa individually rather than having one performance duplicated digitally.
• Filming took place from June to December 2004 at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom, with Burton simultaneously directing the stop-motion animated film Corpse Bride.