Wonka was a very dark book. Dahl was a good writer, but somewhat dark by today's standards.
I didn't care for it as a child; I remember having to read it sometime around third grade.
These days they're probably still working on Curious George at that grade level.
He wrote another of my favorites "James and the Giant Peach". Also very dark, but I loved it!
Wonka was not a 'very dark book'.
It has a dark look because the director is TIM BURTON... who ALWAYS does his films stylized.. IE.. original Batman, Edward Scissor Hands, Big Fish etc...
I don't care much for Depp's off screen politics, but I will say this.
He did wise up and realize that the work he does does matter and influences children... once his kids were born he started only doing films that he felt were appropriate. I salute him for that, and frankly as much as I don't agree with his politics he is a much better actor than most of the clowns in Hollywood today.
I have a suspicion that this film will flop, largely because there is no need to redo it... The original stands the test of time.