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

What Adele has done since ‘disappearing from spotlight’ as she makes rare appearance at F1Kym Illman/Getty ImagesWimbledon teenage star immediately disqualified over mistake on courtBBCMan who gave up nicotine and alcohol for six months shares everything that changedYouTube/Jack HopkinsWorld Cup presenters in Mexico give worrying update amid delay fearsX

Advert

Choose your content:

22 mins ago
6 hours ago
23 hours ago
a day ago
  • Kym Illman/Getty Images
    22 mins ago

    What Adele has done since ‘disappearing from spotlight’ as she makes rare appearance at F1

    The star is known for valuing her privacy

    Entertainment
  • Aeon/GC Images
    6 hours ago

    Leaked video reveals what inside of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding looked like as first images shared

    Madison Square Garden was transformed into quite the magical place for the star-studded wedding

    Entertainment
  • Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
    23 hours ago

    Harry Styles fans think he made sweet tribute to his ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift on her wedding day

    Taylor Swift married Travis Kelce in New York City on July 3.

    Entertainment
  • Matt Cardy/Getty Images
    a day ago

    Singer Duffy to perform live for first time in more than a decade following kidnap ordeal

    Duffy's comeback explained: From Mercy to kidnapping and her first live show in 15 years

    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
  • E.T's actor only appeared in three films and was paid just $380 for the iconic role
  • What child actor who played Chunk in The Goonies looks like now as he completely changed profession