Shock rocker MARILYN MANSON is set to star in a remake of the classic children's movie WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

Self-confessed satanist Marilyn will be playing the reclusive sweet maker Willy made famous by GENE WILDER - but with a devilish twist.

Marilyn says, "Willy Wonka is one of my favourite movies and I think I can play that role like no one else. "I really see the movie as a metaphor. I see Willy Wonka as Satan because he presents people with the temptation of picking good or evil, and they all pick evil."

The new version of the film - to be directed by TIM BURTON later this year (01) - has a dark theme typical of the man responsible for BATMAN, BEETLEJUICE and EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. The MECHANICAL ANIMALS hitmaker aims to terrify cinema audiences but showed a soft side adding, "The film will still have a beautiful message - our hero, CHARLIE, does a good honest deed and that's a rare thing." Marilyn is also keen to co-produce the WARNER BROTHERS remake. (RP/WNTSU/MCM)

Source: WENN