Gene Wilder holds a special place in the hearts of an entire generation of filmgoers. Through three decades, the actor appeared in beloved films that ranged from comedic romps like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein to the cherished family classic Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. However, the actor’s creative output began to slow down in the mid to late 90s, and he’s been in a self-imposed retirement refusing work since 2003. But if a rumor currently making the rounds is true, legendary director Steven Spielberg may be trying to get Wilder to come out of hiding.

Ain’t It Cool News is reporting that it has sources claiming that Spielberg may be trying to get Wilder to lend his voice to his upcoming film The BFG. The film, similar to Willy Wonka, is an adaptation of a Roald Dahl book.

The premise, according to IMDB:

“The tale of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent giant known as the BFG, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world.”

The hope is that he’d voice the aforementioned benevolent giant. AICN’s sources claim that a meeting between Wilder and Spielberg has either already occurred, or is about to. So the ball will be in Wilder’s court to decide whether or not he feels up to the task, once Spielberg has explained the ins and outs of the project.

What do you think?

SOURCE: AICN