The majority of filming for Wonka took place in the evening
By Danny Fullbrook
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Filming of a trailer for the Wonka film has provided a golden ticket for a £25,000 park upgrade.
Verulamium Park in St Albans was used by Timothée Chalamet, who plays Willy Wonka, and a Warner Bros film crew last year.
St Albans City and District Council has revealed it was paid £41,000 for use of the park, with the £25,000 ring-fenced specifically for park improvements.
Councillor Helen Campbell said the money would be put to “very good use”.
She said she could not reveal the projects being considered but said it would not be used for routine maintenance and there were “lots of things on our potential wish list”.
Image source, Warner bros
St Albans City and District councillor Helen Campbell said it was “unmistakably the lake in our park”
The contribution will be combined with money made from other events held at the park, such as Pub in the Park and Comedy Garden, taking the total available spend to upwards of £35,000.
Ms Campbell said the money was “really welcome” at a time when authorities faced financial pressures.
Teams working on Wonka, which was primarily filmed at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, spent about day filming in the park and nearby Abbey Mill Lane.
Image source, Warner Bros
Some local landmarks can be spotted in the Wonka trailer, such as the bridge across the River Ver and the map of Verulamium Park
Ms Campbell said the council was doing “enhanced marketing” to appeal to more films crews.
“We’ll keep on pushing St Albans as a wonderful location, it’s close to London, it’s got all that heritage that historic backdrop that crews are looking for,” she said.
Image source, Lynne Wilde
The other £16,000 of the financial contribution went towards reimbursing park staff, parking and reinstatement after filming was complete
The film, based on Roald Dahl’s much-loved children’s book Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, has been directed by Paddington film-maker Paul King.
It also stars Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins and Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson, as well as former Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas.
Image source, Reuters
Calah Lane stars alongside Timothee Chalamet in the Wonka movie
A clip of the advert released last week showed Hugh Grant pictured for the first time as an Oompa Loompa.
In taking on the central role, Chalamet follows in the footsteps of Gene Wilder, who starred in 1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory; and Johnny Depp, who appeared in Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation.
Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
Related Topics
Related Internet Links
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
