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AICN review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory script is completely bogus

March 22, 2004 Charlie, Projects

This morning on Ain’t It Cool News, someone using the pseudonym Michael Marker posted what he claimed was a review of my CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY script. In fact, it was an elaborate and tedious piece of fiction. Not only did this guy not read the current draft, I suspect he’s never read any draft. Every single detail he mentions (such as the American setting, and Mrs. Bucket’s job) was completely wrong.

While the faux-review was very positive, it points out how incredibly inaccurate fan-run sites can be. Anyone with an agenda can easily manipulate them, while hiding behind the shield of anonymity. Good or bad buzz can be created without any backing whatsoever.

If people want spoilers for the movie, they can read the original book by Dahl. The movie is very similar to the book, with a little extra to explain how Willy Wonka became a candy magnate, and an ending that goes a little further to pay off Wonka’s handing-off of the factory to Charlie. With Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, I think the movie will absolutely rock. And I’ll sign my real name to that statement.

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