Timothée Chalamet's new movie, “Wonka,” is coming soon. Unlike the many remakes of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory, this film will tell the story of a young Willy Wonka. And how he first met the Oompa-Loompas, played by Hugh Grant, in one of his earliest adventures.

Over the years, various actors have portrayed the Oompa-Loompas. But who are they?

Oompa-Loompas description

The Oompa-Loompas are small humans working in Wonka's factory. Used to face dangers in their home. Wonka invited them to join his chocolate factory. As seen in films, Wonka pays them in cocoa beans, a rare treat on their island and one that they worship the most. They are mischieves in nature, loves practical jokes and improvised songs, especially after a child's misbehavior.

Regardless of their factory work, Oompa-Loompas insist on wearing their native clothing. Men in animal skins, women in leaves, and children in nothing. In the 2005 film, played by Deep Roy, all Oompa-Loompas look alike. They all wear tribal clothing in Loompaland and factory uniforms in Wonka's factory. This is different from early adaptation in 1971 where they are small and orange-skinned creatures.

The problematic depiction of Oompa-loompas

Despite the whimsical facade, both versions hinted at a darker reality. It suggests that perhaps, the Oompa Loompas weren't the happy workers portrayed by Willy Wonka. Although we've yet to see how they will show Grant's character in the new film.
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In the original 1964 novel, the Oompa Loompas were depicted as Black pygmies from the African jungle. Roald Dahl's portrayal reflected social anxieties in the UK, fueled by immigration and suspicion. The first edition's controversial racist portrayal led to a revision in the 1973 edition, changing their description but maintaining the exploitative origin.

Wonka brought the Oompa Loompas from their tribe to work in exchange for cocoa beans, treating them as prisoners within the factory. Despite learning English, they remained restricted and were subjected to inhumane treatment. The film's depiction of them as test subjects for inventions hinted at the chocolatier's complete ownership.

The implicit slave-like conditions were reinforced when Violet's father promised her an Oompa Loompa, highlighting the transfer of ownership. Viewers often overlooked this troubling aspect, influenced by blind admiration for the chocolatier. The history of cocoa's link to slavery, particularly in West Africa, adds a deeper layer to the narrative.

Deconstructing the seemingly fantastical Oompa Loompas reveals the underlying colonial context and serious racial and social issues within the beloved children's story. Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, despite its dreamy appearance, was built on exploitation, challenging the notion of him as a figure to admire.

Will you still watch Wonka?

Now, we've seen that although Willy Wonka discovered the Oompa Loompas and invited them to work at his chocolate factory. The dreamy portrayal concealed troubling signs.
Even in Wonka's world of pure imagination, elements of slavery, white supremacy, and capitalist exploitation were present. All hidden within the seemingly magical factory. However, it's important to note that these descriptions and tones came from a time where issues like this were prevalent. Hopefully, Hugh Grant's portrayal will be much fun and not darker than it seems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otNh9bTjXWg