Gene Wilder slams Chocolate Factory remake as 'an insult'

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Comedy icon Gene Wilder has taken aim at director Tim Burton for remaking the movie classic Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, insisting the 2005 film was an "insult".

The veteran actor, who turned 80 on Tuesday, made the cutting comments during a rare public appearance at New York's 92Y venue on Thursday, when he opened up about his career and life outside of showbusiness.

Wilder said he isn't a fan of action-packed films full of "bombing and swearing" and he has no interest in 3D films.

He particularly feels strongly about remakes, too, after Burton adapted his iconic 1971 film with Johnny Depp as the fictional chocolate king - the role that he played over 40 years ago.

"I think it's an insult. It's probably Warner Bros' insult ... Johnny Depp, I think, is a good actor, but I don't care for that director (Burton).

"He's a talented man, but I don't care for him doing stuff like he did," Wilder said.

Wilder has not appeared onscreen since 2003, but he is not ruling out a future acting comeback, as long as the project is really good, reports Moviefone.com.

"If something comes along and it's really good and I think I'd be good for it, I'd be happy to do it," he told the audience.

- WENN