We look back on last week after Hollywood descended on St Albans to film for the latest Warner Bros film, Wonka!
As rumours grew that the film was to be filmed across St Albans, excited residents kept their eyes peeled for ‘Wonka Watch’.
Vans and production vehicles started to appear near Verulamium Park and Abbey Mill Lane from February 24 and park-goers eagerly anticipated the transformation to come.
A bright multi-coloured carousel adorned with cuddly toys appeared by the lake alongside zoo signs for a ‘giraffehaus’.
By Abbey Mill Lane, a large set was built with a secret doorway.
The secret doorway read ‘nachtgehege’ which translates from German to ‘night enclosure’.
Fans speculated lead star Timothée Chalamet may use the doorway to enter scenes.
Tracks were laid by lorries around the lake in Verulamium Park, over the next days, dozens of vehicles and hundreds of crew members descended on the areas.
A lone white marquee set up days earlier, was joined by several trailers where the stars were getting ready to film.
A source told The Herts Advertiser that the white marquee was to be used for indoor filming.
Residents-favourite Verulamium Park will soon be a fan-favourite as Warner Bros transformed the springtime greenery into a winter wonderland.
Fake snow was laid across the greens by the lake at Verulamium Park and a wind machine flurried the snow into the air.
Black vintage lamppost lighting and bulbs were fitted around the lake which residents hoped would stay in place when filming ended.
St Albans joins a long list of other cities and towns in England where the film has been shot so far: Bath, London, Oxford and Lyme Regis.
Excitement revved up a gear as more classic cars appeared on filming day (March 3).
Security cordoned off sections of Verulamium Park and Abbey Mill Lane from the public.
Cranes with large lights were put in to the park as well as a rubber boat, which were used by film crews later that day.
Dozens of members of the public waited patiently on Abbey Mill Lane to spot some of the stars working their movie magic.
As extras appeared in vintage clothing costume, fans watched on eagerly.
Stepping on to scene Downton Abbey star Jim Carter OBE greeted fans with open arms and a huge smile.
He walked on to scene wearing a bowler hat and three-piece blue and grey suit carrying a tan leather briefcase.
Other stars in the film include Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson and Olivia Colman.
Hollywood heartthrob Timothée was still yet to appear when he was spotted walking through sets wearing a hoody and baseball cap.
Crowds of fans and teenage girls squealed with delight as the lead actor cheerily waved at them.
As day turned in to night Timothée was yet to make an appearance in costume as Willy Wonka.
After working hard for days on end, crews finally started filming the snowy scenes at 9.30pm at night.
Some dedicated, eagle-eyed fans stayed to see Timothée Chalamet arrive in his costume dancing and singing across the fairground set.
He wore a classic Wonka look: a purple three-piece suit with top hat.
Production worked in to the night and crews began dismantling the Warner Bros production the next morning.
The teams worked quickly to clear the sets and props leaving behind a muddy aftermath.
Hollywood filmmakers Warner Bros have made a “substantial donation” to St Albans City and District Council that is “well into five-figures" for enhancements and improvements at the park.
The family musical film is set to be released in March 2023.
To read all of our updates from the Wonka filming in St Albans, visit: www.hertsad.co.uk/topics/wonka-watch
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