A new trailer for the forthcoming Wonka movie - which was partly filmed on location in St Albans - has been released by Warner Bros Pictures.

Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, Wonka is an origin story of the famous inventor and chocolatier, and is a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Herts Advertiser: Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in movie Wonka.Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in movie Wonka. (Image: Vue Entertainment)

Scenes of the magical musical adventure were shot in St Albans last year, with production crew setting up camp in Verulamium Park and Abbey Mill Lane in February/March 2022.

Eagle-eyed viewers can spot a 'blink-and-you-miss-it' glimpse of St Albans' Verulamium Park in the new official Wonka trailer 2, which you can watch below.

Production of Wonka was based in Hertfordshire at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, with location filming taking place on the Cobb in Lyme Regis, Bath, Oxford and St Albans.

Verulamium Park in St Albans was transformed into a winter wonderland for the Hollywood blockbuster, with Timothée Chalamet filming snowy scenes in the cathedral city with co-star Calah Lane, who plays Noodle.

Herts Advertiser: Rowan Atkinson stars as Father Julius in Wonka.Rowan Atkinson stars as Father Julius in Wonka. (Image: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

Film fans will be able to step into a world of pure imagination with Wonka in UK cinemas from December 8, 2023.

As well as Dune A-lister Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, the movie features a stellar supporting cast including Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins, Johnny English and Mr. Bean favourite Rowan Atkinson, Downton Abbey's Jim Carter, Hugh Grant, and Oscar winner Olivia Colman.

Herts Advertiser: Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa in movie Wonka.Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa in movie Wonka. (Image: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

Hugh Grant, who starred in Paddington 2, plays a green-haired, orange-faced Oompa Loompa in the Wonka movie, and steals the show in scenes of the movie's second trailer.

After catching the Oompa Loompa, Wonka says to him: "So you're the funny little man who's been following me."

Herts Advertiser: Hugh Grant plays an Oompa Loompa in Wonka.Hugh Grant plays an Oompa Loompa in Wonka. (Image: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

Hugh Grant's character replies: "Funny little man? How dare you! I will have you know that I'm a perfectly respectable size for an Oompa Loompa." 

He continues: "In fact, in Loompaland, I'm regarded as something of a whopper."

In another scene, the Oompa Loompa says to Willy Wonka: "Tell me what it is, or I shall poke you quite viciously with a cocktail stick."

The Wonka cast also includes Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Mathew Baynton, Natasha Rothwell, Rich Fulcher, Rakhee Thakrar, Tom Davis and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.

Herts Advertiser: A scene from Wonka, a Warner Bros. Pictures release.A scene from Wonka, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Image: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

Mathew Baynton stars as Fickelgruber, Matt Lucas is Prodnose, Keegan-Michael Key is the Chief of Police, and Paterson Joseph plays Slugworth in Wonka.

Based on the extraordinary character at the centre of Roald Dahl’s iconic children’s book, Wonka tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker becomes the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.

Herts Advertiser: Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka and director Paul King in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ movie Wonka.Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka and director Paul King in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ movie Wonka. (Image: Jaap Buittendijk / 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)

From Paul King, the writer/director of the Paddington films, and Harry Potter producer David Heyman, the big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time.

Simon Farnaby, of Paddington 2 and Ghosts fame, and Paul King wrote the screenplay, based on a story by King and characters created by Roald Dahl. 

Wonka will be released in cinemas across the UK on December 8, 2023 by Warner Bros. Pictures.