Timothée Chalamet’s Willy Wonka Ignited Johnny Depp VS Gene Wilder Debate — But Why is Val Kilmer’s Batman Involved?

The internet saw its first look at Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka. Some fans swooned, while others predictably started arguing over who played the superior Willy Wonka, Johnny Depp VS Gene Wilder. Then suddenly, Val Kilmer and Michael Keaton’s Batman became involved.

There’s never a dull moment in fan communities, is there?

First look at the Timothée Chalamet Willy Wonka

Chalamet revealed a prequel to Charlie Bucket’s venture into the fantastical chocolate factory with a picture. He sports all the recognizable traits, the tall brown hat, wearing strikingly bright colors. This time though, Wonka appears in his prime. Twitter immediately took notice of the more handsome take on the eccentric chocolatier.

Others took the time to think back on other portrayals of Willy Wonka, namely Wilder and Depp. 

Wilder brought an oddly aloof and threatening aura to the character. Everyone remembers the chilling boat scene. His apparent apathy to the misbehaving kids falling into danger spawned sarcastic meme templates still widely used.

Depp’s take on the character saw Wonka even more socially inept, bordering on unstable at times. He also fleshed out the backstory more, with Christopher Lee of all actors portraying his father.

Of course, no one could simply remember fondly. One of them had to be better than the other.

Twitter users commented that comparing Depp and Wilder was like comparing Val Kilmer’s Batman to Michael Keaton.

Depp VS Wilder and Kilmer VS Keaton

When Chalamet revealed the first look at his Willy Wonka, he likely did not expect the internet to take this turn.

“Saying you prefer Johnny Depp over Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka is like saying you prefer Val Kilmer over Michael Keaton as Batman,” one Twitter user said.

The debate across Twitter roped in Willy Wonka fans, Jonny Depp fans, Gene Wilder fans, and then Batman fans.

And they said Avengers was the most ambitious crossover.

However, the trending Kilmer turned into more appreciation for the actor than anything. Some Twitter users admitted their ‘unpopular opinions’ of enjoying his take on the Dark Knight.

Meanwhile, Chalamet is just excited to play the famous candy-maker

The internet marches to its own beat at times. The Depp Vs Wilder Wonka debate tangling with Kilmer and Keaton’s Batman feels almost routine.

Chalamet simply enjoys people reacting to his casting.

“The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last,” he commented on his post.

Only a few other details about Chalamet’s upcoming Willy Wonka portrayal remain available.

“Paul King, the director behind the Paddington series, is helming Wonka. David Heyman is producing. Along with Chalamet, the cast also includes Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, and others. Wonka is set to bow in theaters on March 17, 2023,” Variety reported.