“Have a scrumdiddlyumptious day!” is how Rusty Goffe, who played an Oompa-Loompa in the 1971 adaptation of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” opposite Gene Wilder, signs off our Zoom call after we speak earlier this month.
With such Wonka-isms rolling off his tongue with ease, it’s no surprise that when Netflix, which acquired the rights to Roald Dahl’s literary estate five years ago, planned to make a Wonka-inspired game show Goffe was clearly top of their list to bring back.
In “Wonka’s Golden Ticket,” which launched on Sept. 23, he stars alongside his son Ben Goffe — also an actor who has appeared in “Artemis Fowl,” among other titles — as well as a host of new Oompa-Loompas. (Unlike in the original film, these Oompa-Loompas “come in all shapes and sizes now,” as the contestants are told during the show.). Also back is Wilder, albeit only his voice, which has been, somewhat controversially, recreated in AI with the blessing of his wife, Wilder himself having died in 2016.
Over the course of nine episodes, viewers will see 12 contestants take part in a series of increasingly wacky challenges in the hopes of winning a “lifetime’s supply of money” (approximately $3 million, calculated as an annual six-figure salary over 30 years), all played out on Wonka-themed set pieces, including the famous elevator and, of course, the edible candy room, complete with chocolate waterfall.
Ahead of “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket” launching, Goffe, now 77, spoke with Variety about how he came to work on the competition show, what it was like to step back into the world of Wonka — and his feelings at hearing Wilder’s voice recreated by AI.
How did this come about? Did Netflix reach out to you?
Well, I just had a phone call from my agent in New York saying they want you in Netflix, talking about “Wonka.” [I said] “Being in ‘Wonka?’ That was a long time ago.” And they said “Yeah, they still want you.” So that’s how I got into it, and I really loved the new one.
Once you knew it was a game show, were you wondering what that format might be?
I was wondering how is this going to happen. But after a couple of days, I got used to it. The contestants were in their own bubble, so when they came on, you just nodded to them, because they were trying to get answers from your face, how they’re doing. So we’re not giving anything away. I was really pleased — thrilled — this time to have my son with me, Ben. [He’s] 33 years of age, an Oompa-Loompa!
What was it like for him to step into that iconic role?
Well, he’s grown up with “Wonka” through me, and he loved the first one, and when [Netflix] said about Ben being in it, he jumped at the chance. “Yeah, yeah, I’m going to be an Oompa-Loompa,” you know, because he’s an actor. He’s done Shakespeare, many, many movies.
Did you give any give him any tips?
No. None whatsoever. I was an Oompa-Loompa. You’re the new one. Learn — on the job!
What was it like for you stepping back into the world of “Wonka”?
It was bizarre, going into the studio, into the chocolate room, in fact. And it was all modern. They still had a river. They still had a waterfall. It was absolutely fantastic, it was. And the river — last time, it was just dirty water, it smelled because we were pouring real cream and real sugar into it, and with the hot lights, it was melting. It was melting, and poor Michael Böllner, who played Augustus Gloop [in th 1971 film], he had to fall in it when he was a kid. And they ask him now, “What was it like, Michael? What was the river like?” [In a German accent] “It vas stinky vater!” in his best German. But it was lovely. But unfortunately, he wasn’t there, it was just myself and my young son, who wasn’t there in the original.
Did you keep anything from the set of the original film?
Mmmmmm, yes. I might have a golden ticket, a real one or two. My children’s inheritance.
Would you have wanted to be a contestant on “Wonka’s Golden Ticket” if you weren’t part of the cast?
No. It was great being the Oompa-Loompa just watching them, because I knew what they were going to win, lose, what’s going to happen if they lost [a challenge]. Which is not good on some occasions.
Did you ever think that the original film would have such a lasting impact that you’d still be revisiting that world so many years later?
I am still absolutely amazed how big it still is. I get to go and do conventions, mainly in the States, and people say, “Yeah, we loved it. We came out the theater, when we saw the new ones. We came out the theater, but we were still singing ‘Oompa-Loompa doompa dee do’ — your movie.” They loved it. But I was surprised how big it still was and still is! And I thank the people for keeping it alive. If it wasn’t for the fans, it’d be gone.
This time round there seems to be more diversity among the Oompa-Loompas…
[These] Oompa-Loompas, they weren’t just short. We had one bodybuilder, big guy, a tall guy, three ladies, a small man, and Ben. It was wonderful to have this diverse [cast of] people.
Netflix has also brought Gene Wilder’s voice back for the show with AI, which has prompted some discussion. Was it weird hearing his voice again after so many years?
Well, “weird” is not the word. It was lovely hearing his voice again, because I loved that man. He was a gentle, fantastic character, very funny, very, very kind, and to hear him in the show, I was so pleased that Netflix had done it. He is Mr. Wonka. He is Willy Wonka. Gene Wilder is Willy Wonka.
Was it uncanny hearing him again, or is it just like he’s standing there?
It’s just him standing there. I did shed a tear when I first heard it, because I loved the man so much. But then I thought he wouldn’t want me to do that. He’d want me to be an Oompa-Loompa, get out there, do the job. Yeah, that that was Gene. He was a lovely, lovely man.
Did you have a favorite moment of filming this new show?
Yes, the breaks! It was one of the best moments of my life to do “Wonka” again. I started my career on “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and now I am pleased to announce to Variety that I’ve ended my career on “Willy Wonka’s The Golden Ticket.”
This interview has been edited and condensed.