Wilder put a lot of thought into playing Wonka, providing input on everything from his character's costume ... but "Willy ...

Cut to the '71 film, where Wonka's business is booming, but he's shut out the world to keep the secrets of his sweets from the spying eyes of his rebounding rivals. Wilder's Wonka is an eccentric ...

From Gene Wilder to Timothée Chalamet, take a look back at all of the actors who played the iconic character Alexandra Schonfeld is a features writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE ...

Some essential (spoiler-free) background: Unlike the 1971 movie starring Gene Wilder and Tim Burton ... Nominally, it’s a prequel, but the Willy Wonka so beautifully brought to life by Timothée ...

“Wonka” is about to become many people’s “grab a tissue” movie. In the fantasy musical, a young Willy Wonka (Chalamet ... reverse it” is a direct nod to Gene Wilder’s chocolatier ...

"And you killed it, Gene...you will forever be in our hearts the one and ONLY Willy Wonka," one wrote. "Wilder’s interpretation is what makes this film so special," another fan gushed.

Willy Wonka isn't alone in ... There's a moment right at the end of the Gene Wilder movie when Charlie returns the everlasting gobstopper and [Wonka's] like, 'You did it, Charlie!' ...

Johnny Depp, Gene Wilder ... Editor As Wonka is set to make its theatrical debut on Dec. 15, The Hollywood Reporter is looking back at all the actors who have played the iconic Willy Wonka.