Twitter Debates Who Is The Better Willy Wonka: Gene Wilder Or Johnny Depp?

With Johnny Depp in the headlines due to his defamation trial against Amber Heard, many users have been reflecting on his role as Willy Wonka.

Although the “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor portrayed Wonka in the 2005 film, GeneWilder starred in the 1971 original.

On Friday morning, Gene Wilder started trending as people weighed in on who was the better Willy Wonka.

Bill Shannon tweeted, "Gene Wilder is trending (for good reason) but it appears people haven't learned yet that Wilder was the best Wonka. We don't need the 'but Johnny Depp was closer to the book' because that changes nothing about who was BEST."

Paul Wirral tweeted, "Gene Wilder is the best Willy Wonka EVER!!!" alongside a photo of Gene Wilder painted on a wall.

Another fan shared a fun story about why Gene Wilder wanted to use the cane and walk with a limp at the beginning of the film: so no one would know if Willy Wonka was lying or telling the truth. It really shows how much Wilder understood his character!

Another user commented, "Gene Wilder is a phenomenal actor. An icon. But Johnny Depp version of Willy Wonka showed more of the character's dark side."

Another tweeted, "I think Jonny Depp is a great actor. But Gene Wilder is one of my all-time favorites and no one can touch the Original Wonka."

Director Julie Cohen even chimed in, tweeting, "I know for a fact Gene Wilder was the best Willy Wonka. And I haven’t even seen the Johnny Depp version."

Another user added, "I'm sorry, what How is this a question I love Johnny Depp, I truly do, he's a gem of a man and an actor But Gene Wilder is the superior Willy Wonka. There is no argument otherwise."

It seems Depp will forever be known for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, just as Gene Wilder will always be known as Willy Wonka!