Oompa-Loompas have been a beloved part of Roald Dahl’s classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story since it was first published in 1964. These small, colorful factory workers who help Willy Wonka run his amazing chocolate factory have gone through some changes over the years. While the original book describes Oompa-Loompas as being African Pygmies with dark skin, later adaptations have portrayed them with different appearances. With a new Willy Wonka movie in the works, there’s much curiosity around how the Oompa-Loompas will look this time.
Oompa-Loompa Origins
In Roald Dahl’s book, the Oompa-Loompas are said to come from “the very deepest and darkest part of the African jungle” where they lived in tree houses and fed on green caterpillars. They were dealing with dangerous predators and other threats in their homeland before Willy Wonka found them and brought them back to work in his factory.
The book describes them as having “golden-brown skin” and “deep jungley hair”. Their look was clearly inspired by tribal African culture and they spoke in a style reminiscent of native African languages. While these origins were likely meant as a creative fictional portrayal at the time the book was written, they have not aged well and are now viewed as racist stereotypes.
Gene Wilder’s Oompa-Loompas
The first film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder. This version made some notable changes to the Oompa-Loompas, reinventing them as dwarves with painted faces and green hair. They still had tribal elements to their look with their clothing made of leaves and feathers. Their song and dance routines also had a tribal vibe.
This change moved away from the overt African stereotypes of the book, but still contained elements of “othering” minority groups through the primitive appearance of the Oompa-Loompas. Having such a different look from regular society further emphasized their “exotic” nature compared to the Caucasian characters.
Tim Burton’s Take on 2005
Tim Burton put his signature twist on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with his 2005 adaptation starring Johnny Depp. His Oompa-Loompas went in a totally new direction, now having pale Caucasian skin, and bright orange hair styled in crazy spikes and curls. Their uniforms were also more modern looking with patterned suits and work clothes.
This look avoided racial stereotypes by making the Oompa-Loompas their own unique artificial creation. They appeared almost like living candy or toys brought to life. Burton’s Oompa-Loompas were still somewhat “othered” as fantastic beings different from humans, but their appearance was now free of real cultural appropriation.
What Will the New Oompa-Loompas Be Like?
With Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory only 18 years old, it may seem soon for another major adaptation. But a new Willy Wonka movie is indeed in development from Warner Bros. Pictures and The Roald Dahl Story Company. Plot details are scarce but it is described as a musical taking place before the events of Dahl’s book.
So in this prequel, just what will the Oompa-Loompas look like? The filmmakers have a few options if they want to avoid racial stereotypes:
- Make them fantastical colors and styles like Burton’s version
- Model them after other fictional fantasy beings like goblins or elves
- Try a futuristic cyborg or robot look to show how Wonka might have built them
- Have them look like regular humans to show integration with society
The report that this will be a musical makes it likely they will have a distinctive stylized appearance to stand out on screen. There is also a chance the movie will show Wonka first encountering the Oompa-Loompas and how they come to work for him.
Overall, filmmakers today are much more thoughtful about ethnically-inspired fictional portrayals. While they want to honor the spirit of Dahl’s book, they also want to update it for a modern audience. The Oompa-Loompa look will need a reimagining for current times.
Conclusion
The tiny workers who keep Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory running have been thrilling audiences for generations. But the original tribal African inspiration for the Oompa-Loompas has not aged gracefully. As our society learns and grows, Hollywood has adapted their look to avoid racism or exoticism. With sensitivity and creativity, the Oompa-Loompas can continue to have a distinctive appearance that fits into the whimsical world of Willy Wonka.
The next cinematic interpretation will require care and ingenuity to make the Oompa-Loompas both respectful and fanciful. But after evolving from offensive stereotypes to more inclusive portrayals, they exemplify how even beloved fictional works can change with the times. The Oompa-Loompas remind us that growth is always possible.
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