Hugh Grant is Sick of Acting but Needs the Money

Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason Hugh Grant 2004
Universal/Everett Collection

Hugh Grant is not exactly speaking fondly about his latest movie role. He plays an Oompa Loompa in the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel Wonka, complete with orange skin and green hair, and the 63-year-old wasn’t too happy about it. He spoke about the process of transforming himself into a tiny creature and said, “It was like a crown of thorns, very uncomfortable. I made a big fuss about it… I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more.” He added that he hated the dancing scenes in particular and continued, “It should be fun, but that was done by the animator. It’s very confusing, with CGI now, you can’t tell what’s going on.’”

He then joked, “I slightly hate [making films] but I have lots of children and need money.” Well, that explains why he decided to sign on for the role despite not really wanting to do it. The director, Paul King, explained why he wanted to cast Grant as an Oompa Loompa in the first place, which seems like an odd choice to some fans.

WONKA, US character poster, Hugh Grant, 2023

Warner Bros./Everett Collection

He said, “They’re so biting and satirical and funny, but they’ve got a real kind of edge to them… and they take an enormous delight in these children’s demise. I had this vision of Hugh Grant, you know, this high with orange skin and green hair. And once you have that picture come into your mind, you have to try and get it out there.”

Wonka Timothee Chalamet, Hugh Grant, 2023

Warner Bros./Everett Collection

Grant has five children including Tabitha, 12, and Felix, 9 with his ex, Tinglan Hong, and three children ages 11, 6, and 5, with his wife, Anna Eberstein. Despite wishing he could slow down, he has been working pretty regularly, appearing in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, and Glass Onion in the last few years. He also has three upcoming projects including a television series called The Regime.

February 2021
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