Hugh Grant criticised by dwarf actor over Wonka role: "We are being pushed out of the industry"
An actor with dwarfism has hit out at the new film Wonka for casting Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa. George Coppen, 26, said the part should have been offered to an actor with the condition because there is already a shortage of appropriate roles for people with dwarfism. The upcoming movie will focus on the life of Willy Wonka, the mysterious character at the centre of the Roald Dahl novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, played by Timothee Chalamet. It features Grant as an Oompa Loompa trapped inside a jar. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter In previous versions of the story based on Roald Dahl's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the characters were played by actors with dwarfism. Coppen, whose father played an Ewok in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, said: “A lot of actors [with dwarfism] feel like we are being pushed out of the industry we love. “A lot of people, myself included, argue that dwarfs should be offered everyday roles in dramas and soaps, but we aren’t getting offered those roles.” In the trailer, Grant’s character is seen saying: “I will have you know that I am a perfectly respectable size for an Oompa Loompa."Wonka replies: “An Oompa what now?” The Oompa Loopma says: “Allow me to refresh your memory.” “Oh, I don't think I want to hear that,” Wonka says. “Too late,” the Oompa Loompa answers. “I’ve started dancing now. Once we’ve started we can’t stop.” People commented on Grant’s role on Twitter. One person wrote: “Hugh Grant is definitely in his IDGAF [I don’t give a f***] era, every decision this man makes is insane and I love it.” Another wrote: “Thought another Wonka movie was unnecessary but now I'm sold, give me more Oompa Loompa Hugh Grant”. Wonka’s release date is 15 December 2023. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-28 20:24
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Man City's Mahrez joins Saudi club Al-Ahli
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2023-07-28 19:56
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2023-07-28 19:55
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2023-07-28 19:49
Riyad Mahrez leaves Man City to join Al Ahli
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Wiegman praises 'fighting' England after Walsh injury shock
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2023-07-28 19:46
England manager Sarina Wiegman reacts to ‘serious’ Keira Walsh injury
England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed Keira Walsh suffered a “serious” injury against Denmark after the key Lionesses midfielder was stretchered off during the first half of their Women’s World Cup win. Walsh was left on crutches after her studs caught on the turf and she went down holding her right knee, an injury which is likely to rule the Barcelona star out for the rest of the World Cup. The 26-year-old was England’s player of the match when the Lionesses won the Euros last summer and is pivotal to the team’s chances of winning the World Cup in Australia. Wiegman was unable to provide an update on the extent of Walsh’s injury but confirmed the midfielder is likely to have a scan in the coming days. “It did look serious so if you can’t walk off the pitch it’s serious,” Wiegman said after England’s 1-0 win against Denmark. “I don’t know, we’ve just finished the game. “I haven’t heard anything yet. During the game you have to move on and now it is time to look at how she is and the next steps. England’s record goalscorer Ellen White said on the BBC that Walsh was the most important player in England’s Euros winning campaign last summer and that there was no “Plan B” without the midfielder. “Everything came through Keira,” White said. “I dreaded to think of the idea of us ever losing her because she was one of our best players. Beth Mead was scoring all the goals but all of our play came through Keira. “She was the key cog, everything moved through her. I just don’t know who England are going to have now in that six, or even potential double six, role.” Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall also said on the BBC that Walsh’s injury was a “travesty” to England’s chances of winning the World Cup. Eidevall had suggested that the dry pitch at the Sydney Football Stadium may have played a part in Walsh’s injury. “I think it looks very dry,” Eidevall said. “You could see on the movement that when she [Walsh] tries to slide with her right foot, it stops and then twists her knee. “I think another example of that was the celebration for the first goal. Lauren James tries to knee slide but when she does that on the pitch, she just stops and falls over. “It looks funny but it’s a danger to player welfare to have such a dry pitch. It should allow you to slide through. It’s not good enough. “I’m a big advocate of watering the pitches, it makes the passes go faster but it also prevents situations like this. It’s these stopping mechanisms that a lot of the time cause these serious injuries.” England survived a couple of late scares against Denmark and are on the verge of reaching the knockout stages - a position that could be confirmed later today if China fail to beat Haiti in Group D. "We started well, we played well and scored the goal and then we had a little stage in the first half [where] we lost balls we didn’t have to lose,” Wiegman added. "Then we had the horrible moment with Keira. Second half was a fight and the team showed we adapted to the new situation and we had to fight to win. I am very proud of the team." Read More England find World Cup balance but more adversity leaves one defining question England lose the one player who is impossible to replace BBC pundit slams Women’s World Cup pitches after Keira Walsh injury – ‘It’s not good enough’ England find balance but more adversity leaves one defining question England lose the one player who is impossible to replace Bethany England: The Lionesses’ overlooked attacking threat in profile
2023-07-28 19:30
