I, too, realize this is a really old thread, but that's the most brilliant thing I've ever heard.
Although, it can never be.
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I realize this is a really old thread, but that's just the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

yea CNR would have be a great wonka.
but johnny depp got the role. oh well i could think of 10 people i would rather
see do it. why not Jim Carrey or Robin Williams for starters.
i wish CNR would at least have a small role in the movie. that would be cool.
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Most of the discussion about this potential movie is over at the Tim Burton link and the "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" link.
A few days ago, IMDb made an announc5b4ement that it was between 2 actors:
Christopher Walken
or
Micheal Keaton.
The other suggestions were from fans of the suggestees.
As far as Nelson Reilly being too busy, I don't know that he was ever considered, I was just adding to the conversation.

I agree with you 100 percent about Mr. Reilly being perfect for the role of Wonka. Maybe the producers consider Cage and Kline as being hot actors in this day and age. Perhaps Mr. Reilly was considered for the role but turned it down due to the success of his one man show "The Life of Reilly".

Too old?
But that's the whole point behind the Wonka story
Wonka is getting too old to keep up the chocolate factory and is looking for his replacement.
Charles is exactly the right age.
And he isn't so old that he is feeble.
He is Wonka.

I concur that Mr. Reilly would make a great Willy Wonka, but I think that the producers consider him to be "too old" for the role. How unfortunate for them, wouldn't you say?