Gene Wilder Calls Tim Burton's Willy Wonka An 'Insult' In 2013 Interview

There are some things in Hollywood that should never be spoken of again: Julia Roberts’ hair in “Mother’s Day,” the name Martha after “Batman v Superman” and all of Adam Sandler’s movies from the last decade. But one of the film industry’s biggest mistakes to date was trying to recapture the magic of 1971’s “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and the actor’s veneers.

Following the death of the original Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder, last month, his legendary career has been the subject of much adoration, as many have paid tribute to the comedy icon.

In a recently resurfaced interview with Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne at the 92nd Street Y, Wilder expressed his disdain for the current state of cinema, including Burton’s adaptation of the classic children’s tale in 2005.

“I think it’s an insult,” Wilder told Osborne in conversation. “To do that with Johnny Depp, who I think is a good actor and I like him, but I don’t care for that director. He’s a talented man, but I don’t care for him for doing stuff like he did.”

Watch the full interview below: