But it’s not what you think. Tom is not Willy Wonka and Jerry is not Charlie. This is straight-up the original Willy Wonka movie, totally remade—just with Tom and Jerry HANGING AROUND TOO.
In what has to be one of the weirdest, most-forced mashups in recent memory, Warner Bros. Animation is releasing a movie called Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And if it seems like they just shoved “Tom and Jerry” on the front of it and there’s no real connection, well, you’re right. The trailer feels exactly like that. On one hand is an animated remake of Willy Wonka, complete with the characters, scenes, and songs you adore. But now Tom and Jerry are there for no real reason. And they get top billing!
I mean, it’s just the oddest thing ever. I’m sure they actually do play a role in the story but the trailer, as well as title, make it feel like two totally different things. Like someone just edited an unrelated Tom and Jerry cartoon into Willy Wonka and said, “Oh, that’s a new movie!”
Now, in looking for a release date for this insanity, I stumbled upon this Wiki page for the film which has a more detailed plot description than you’d need for 2001: A Space Odyssey. Apparently, it seems like Tom and Jerry are Charlie’s pets in the film and that’s how they fit in. I mean, okay? That gives them an excuse to be in the movie, but wouldn’t a straightforward animated version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory have been enough?
I just hope Tom and Jerry don’t start any trouble in the Factory. Do you think they start trouble? I’m guessing they get into trouble.
We’ll find out in August, according to that Wiki page. That’s when it says the film will be released on Digital HD and Blu-ray. So get those preorders in.
Next up is Tom and Jerry: The Shining. Not really, but one can hope.