If you’ve ever wanted to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, well, you might have a bit of a death wish. Famously most of the children who venture into the chocolate emporium with their Golden Ticket are implied to not survive the trip after breaking all of the rules. Still, if that doesn’t put you off, Netflix might be the answer to your prayers.
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Announced today, Netflix is asking people to sign up to its new reality show The Golden Ticket, where contestants will need to brave Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory to emerge unscathed. Presumably no one is burned alive in the furnace as Veruca Salt was, but it seems plentiful challenges based on the fictional chocolate factory and its madcap founder await anyone lucky enough to get a golden ticket.
Netflix’s Willy Wonka Game Show Is Part Social Experiment
Netflix is asking fans to sign up via thegoldenticketcasting.com, though right now that redirects to a press release from Netflix explaining what the show is and who can apply. Contestants must be over 18 and a legal resident of the United States, as per the terms and conditions, but there’s not much more concrete information right now. What we do know is that Netflix is referring to it as a “high-stakes social experiment” rather than a game show per se, which could mean added drama for all involved.
“We are thrilled to bring the magic of The Chocolate Factory to life like never before,” Jeff Gaspin, vice president of Unscripted at Netflix, said in the press release. “This one-of-a-kind reality competition blends adventure, strategy, and social dynamics, creating an experience that is as captivating as it is unpredictable. For the first time, a lucky few won’t just have to imagine the experience — they’ll get to step inside the factory and live it.”
This follows Netflix’s Squid Game reality show, which proved popular in viewercount but drew criticism for undercutting the anti-capitalistic themes of Squid Game itself, one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed dramas. MrBeast also merged the social drama and game show stakes together with Beast Games, which was largely panned for failing to be particularly interesting at either.
You’d hope there would be a little less thematic friction in adapting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into a game show, though we won’t know how that will be done until Netflix reveals more. For now, anyone interested should sign up – just remember not to drink any Fizzy Lifting Drink when you’re inside.
Netflix
Netflix is a streaming service that offers a large number of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Some of these are Netflix’s own original creations, while others are licensed by the company.