The Truth About CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY!!!

Alright... About 2 days ago an insideous rumor began infiltrating the world of the web, then the British Tabloids and then America's Wire News Services. The rumor was that Tim Burton had signed on to direct Willy Wonka with Marilyn Manson as Willy Wonka. You've seen this EVERYWHERE now.

Well, as anyone knows that has been reading AICN for the last year or so, Gary Ross (PLEASANTVILLE) was the person directing CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY... but like many... I hadn't heard anything about the progression of this property with his name attached. Last I had heard was that Scott Frank (GET SHORTY, OUT OF SIGHT, MINORITY REPORT) was working on the screenplay.

Well, as you can see... the two stories don't jive... And as you read Moriarty profess... Tim Burton and Marilyn Manson just don't sound right. So I called Gary Ross to see what was going on.

"Harry, I'm going into a meeting right now, but I wanted to clear this thing up. I am still the director of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, and (giggle) the thought of casting Marilyn Manson as Willy Wonka had never before crossed my mind till I began reading all of this."

After this he literally had to go, but promised that we'd talk and catch up later, but folks.... TIM BURTON and MARILYN MANSON will be nowhere near CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Gary Ross is still working on it. And that is all there is to it at the moment. Stay tuned to this site for further details at an undisclosed future date. Good evening...