Summary
- Hugh Grant admits that his experience filming "Wonka" was uncomfortable and that he didn't enjoy the process.
- Grant confesses that financial motivations played a role in his decision to take on the role, as he needs money to support his five children.
- The actor criticizes motion capture and CGI, saying that it was confusing and that he couldn't tell what was going on.
Hugh Grant was once one of the most in-demand male actors in Hollywood, but times have apparently changed, as the British native is no longer able to be so selective with his roles.
Hugh appears as a pint-sized Oompa Loompa in Wonka, a prequel to the Willy Wonky and the Chocolate Factory franchise, which sees Timothee Chalamet step into the role of the famous (and mysterious) chocolatier.
Hugh Grant Says He Hated Filming ‘Wonka’
Oompa Loompas are known for their petite stature, so director Paul King made the call to use motion capture to make Hugh’s body elf sized on the silver screen. However, it appears the actor wishes he could’ve done the role differently.
During a press conference with Metro, Hugh said the experience was “drivel,” as he found the process needed to make his body small in the movie to be uncomfortable.
“It was like a crown of thorns, very uncomfortable,” Hugh said, explaining what the camera he had to wear on his head felt like. The actor admits it made him difficult to work with, saying, “I made a big fuss about it. I couldn’t have hated the whole thing more.”
Hugh admitted he wasn’t sure what to do with his body during filming. “And frankly, what I did with my body was terrible, and it’s all been replaced with an animator,” he explained, saying he didn’t think the process was worth it in the end upon seeing the final product.
He continued to share his thoughts on motion capture, saying, “It should be fun, but that was done by the animator. It’s very confusing, with CGI now, you can’t tell what’s going on.”
Hugh Keeps Making Movies To Afford His Children
As for why he chose to take on a role he’s not excited about, Hugh admitted his motivations were financial. “I slightly hate [making films] but I have lots of children and need money,” he revealed.
Hugh has five children from several different relationships. He welcomed his first child, daughter Tabitha, when he was in his 50s after his girlfriend gave birth in 2011, though they split shortly after his birth.
Hugh went on to have two sons and two daughters in the years the follow with two different women, Tinglan Hong and Anna Eberstein.
It’s not clear how much Hugh pays in child support for his five kids, but reports say he’s been “generous” to his children’s mothers.
For example, in 2014, it was reported that Hugh moved Eberstein, a Swedish TV producer who went on to marry him, into a £3million mansion months before she gave birth to their first son. The property was apparently minutes away from his own London townhouse. He did the same for Hong before they welcomed their two kids, moving her into a £1.2million property near his. Hugh Grant’s net worth is reportedly $150 million.
