Sometimes it works, in the case of Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance as the Joker, a character that Jack Nicholson portrayed with success. That is the case that befalls the iconic title character in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, played by the late Gene Wilder in the 1971 film. Why Willy Wonka WorksImage via Paramount PicturesWilder's performance in Mel Stuart's classic is a meme factory for a reason. With Depp, he is too detached from the children, even Charlie, who he plans on giving the factory to. Gene Wilder was a wonderful actor and he proved it by embodying a famous character so well that nobody who has played the role since can top him.