ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Actor with dwarfism slams the new Wonka film for casting Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa
Home>Entertainment>Film
Updated 07:08 28 Jul 2023 GMT+1Published 22:49 26 Jul 2023 GMT+1

Actor with dwarfism slams the new Wonka film for casting Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa

George Coppen fears actors like him are 'being pushed out of the industry we love'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

The new film about Willy Wonka is being harshly criticised before it's even been released.

The trailer for Wonka, which stars Timothée Chalamet as the enigmatic and eccentric owner of the legendary chocolate brand, dropped two weeks ago and everyone got pretty excited.

There has been a lot of hype leading up to the film considering it's a fresh take on the character who is beloved around the world.

However, one person was upset when they saw a different role in the teaser.

Advert

Hugh Grant has been cast as an Oompa Loompa in the upcoming flick and you get to see a brief interaction between him and Wonka in the trailer.

His character is based on a fictional being that is described as 20 inches tall, according to Warner Bros.

Grant's Oompa Loompa appears in a glass jar and Chalamet's Wonka asks whether he's the 'funny little man who’s been following me?'

The short, orange character replies: “I will have you know that I am a perfectly respectful size for an Oompa-Loompa.”

But an actor with dwarfism has hit out at the decision give Hugh Grant the role.

George Coppen told the BBC that the film should have cast performers like him.

“A lot of actors [with dwarfism] feel like we are being pushed out of the industry we love," he said.

"A lot of people, myself included, argue that dwarfs should be offered everyday roles in dramas and soaps, but we aren’t getting offered those roles.

"One door is being closed but they have forgotten to open the next one.”

Coppen has appeared in projects like Willow, Artemis Fowl and The School for Good and Evil.

Warner Bros.

The BBC reports that the 26-year-old is following in the footsteps of his father, Willie Coppen, who got into acting when he saw a casting call for actors to play Ewoks in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

George has also hit out at the way Grant's body has been altered in Wonka.

"They've enlarged his head so his head looks bigger. [I thought] what the hell have you done to him?" George said to the BBC.

In the past film iterations of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Oompa Loompas have been played by actors with dwarfism.

George wants to know what has suddenly changed with this latest one.

Wonka is a prequel to Dahl's legendary story and reveals how the iconic chocolate maker came to be.

The film is due to be released on December 13 this year.

LADbible has reached out to Warner Bros. for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Topics: TV and Film

Stewart Perrie
Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Senior Journalist at LADbible. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign. He is in charge of the LADbible Australia editorial content and social presence.

X

@stewartperrie

Recommended reads

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce make incredible $26 million gesture ahead of reported weddingMEGA/GC ImagesMexico travel mistake could see England fans fined $12,500 and risk jail ahead of Azteca showdown(David Ramos/Getty Images)NYPD reveals plans for Taylor Swift wedding as detectives chief sends ruthless message to singerXNY/Star Max/GC ImagesCelebrities not invited to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding with 1,000 invites sent outBruce Glikas/Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • MEGA/GC Images
    an hour ago

    Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce make incredible $26 million gesture ahead of reported wedding

    Their reported wedding celebrations have started with an incredible act of generosity

    Entertainment
  • XNY/Star Max/GC Images
    3 hours ago

    NYPD reveals plans for Taylor Swift wedding as detectives chief sends ruthless message to singer

    The celebrations for the Swift-Kelce wedding are said to kick off in New York City on Thursday evening

    Entertainment
  • Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Celebrities not invited to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding with 1,000 invites sent out

    It's rumoured that the celebrity pair are having mega celebrations in New York City this weekend

    Entertainment
  • Instagram/belindalove_official
    6 hours ago

    Former reality star who slept with 700 men due to addiction shocked at new partner's response

    "I am not someone who hides things, because I want people to choose me for who I am."

    Entertainment
  • How much Donald Trump earns from residuals for TV and Film cameos revealed in new filing
  • Armie Hammer's comeback film deemed 'worst movie of all time' as its banned for millions
  • Steve-O addresses why new Jackass film is 'mostly archival footage' after criticism
  • Netflix's new Harlan Coben drama has 'bonkers' twist as author revealed why drama is set in US for first time