Wild Secrets Revealed From Netflix’s Bonkers New Wonka Show

James Gourley/Netflix What if what we’re all craving right now is the world of Wonka? Bear with me.

It won’t solve the real problems, but maybe what we all need is candy, silly songs and dances, and time in a magical factory.

And what’s more dreamily surreal than a foppish man creating delicious sweets in a mysterious factory? Even stranger, one staffed by an antic crew of singing and dancing Oompa-Loompas? Willy Wonka’s absurdism has enchanted us since 1964, when Roald Dahl published Charlie & the Chocolate Factory .

Seven years later, Gene Wilder ’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory arrived, a box office disappointment that later became beloved.

That film’s spirit fuels Netflix’s reality series Wonka’s The Golden Ticket , which premieres Sept.

23.

Over nine episodes, a dozen teams of two take on gooey challenges.

Initial pairs are quickly dissolved, and it’s clear people would sell out their own parents for the $3 million grand prize.

Last October, I traveled to the Australian set to experience just how fabulous and intricate it is—and, most importantly, gauge just how Wonkian the show really might be.

Contestants had not yet arrived.

And the host wasn’t there either.

That’s understandable– he is dead .

For this latest adventure, AI brings Gene Wilder’s unmistakable voice eerily to life.

Netflix gained Wilder’s estate’s blessing to use the favorite Wonka’s words.