Is viral Glasgow Wonka disaster sensation 'The Unknown' being turned into horror film?

A horror movie inspired by a viral character from the botched Willy Wonka event in Glasgow is reportedly in production.

A website listed in the name of Kaledonia Pictures claims a feature length film is “to be released in 2024” and will take inspiration from The Unknown.

A spokesperson for the production company told STV News: “Last week we witnessed the birth of a new horror icon in real time, and now we look forward to bringing our own original interpretation of it to life.”

Kaledonia Pictures said the owner of Willy’s Chocolate Experience organisers House of Illuminati was not involved in the project “whatsoever”.

The Unknown at the failed Wonka chocolate experience in Glasgow (left) and a promotional image for the feature film reportedly based on the character (right). SuppliedKaledonian Pictures

The company does not appear to have any previous production credits or be listed with Companies House and its website was registered on March 1, 2024.

The ill-fated “immersive experience” was cancelled hours after opening due to frustration from visitors who branded it a “farce” and said their children were left upset by the quality of the attraction which had been advertised using AI-generated imagery.

Clips of a masked character called The Unknown who was described as an “evil chocolate maker” who lived in the walls of the factory sparked a global reaction.

Unlike other performances at the chaotic event inspired by Roald Dahl’s magical story including Oompa Loompas and Willy Wonka, The Unknown has no corresponding basis.

New The Unknown video just dropped!! Pull a scary face, scare the great unknown!! pic.twitter.com/zxSv6FgQ4I
— Tiana Biscuit (@TianaBiscuit) February 29, 2024

Videos showing an actor dressed in black robes and a silver mask appearing from behind a mirror have gone viral on social media in the weeks since the disastrous event.

Parents told STV News the character terrified their children causing them to cry.

“The film is not based on the event either, but inspired by ‘The Unknown’, the social media phenomenon that has similarly inspired millions of artists around the world to share their own incredible creations,” a spokesperson for Kaledonia Pictures told STV News.

My favourite part of the book 😂 #WillyWonka pic.twitter.com/Z8L6HJ7dbS
— Scottish Banter (@1scottishbanter) February 29, 2024

Battle against the Unknown pic.twitter.com/dYLSezBodG
— Lumpy (@LumpyTouch) March 3, 2024

A “description” of the film on the Kaledonia Pictures website, which was created this week, reads: “The Unknown follows a renowned children’s book illustrator and his wife who are haunted by the tragic death of their son, Charlie.

“Desperate to escape their grief, the couple leave the world behind for the remote Scottish Highlands – where they unleash an unknowable evil.”