Hugh Grant Injects ‘Wonka’ Oompa Loompa Flair While Presenting Best Director BAFTA Award: ‘Most of These Films Were Frankly Too Long’

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Hugh Grant presents the Director Award on stage during the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2024 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA) Getty Images for BAFTA.

Hugh Grant brought a touch of whimsy from “Wonka” to the BAFTA Awards as he stepped up to present the award for best director.

Upon gracing the stage, Grant whimsically recited a spoken-word rendition of his character’s song: “Oompa Loompa doompety dee/ now the best director category. Oompa Loompa doompety dong/ Most of these films were frankly too long. Oompa Loompa doompety dah/ But for some reason the nominees are…”

Grant then proceeded to unveil the nominees: Andrew Haigh for “All of Us Strangers,” Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall,” Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers,” Bradley Cooper for “Maestro,” Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer,” and Jonathan Glazer for “The Zone of Interest.”

The honor eventually went to Nolan, who utilized his speech to commend the organizations that have tirelessly advocated for nuclear disarmament worldwide.

“In accepting this, I do just want to acknowledge their efforts and point out they show the necessity and potential of efforts for peace,” he added.

Grant famously portrayed an Oompa Loompa in Paul King’s “Wonka,” a film featuring Timothée Chalamet in an origin tale of the eccentric chocolatier. To persuade Grant to embrace the role, King disclosed that he composed a letter to the “Love Actually” actor, praising his adeptness at portraying “washed-up old hams.”

“It was really just thinking about that character – someone who can be a real shit,” King revealed to Empire Magazine. “And I went, ‘Ah, Hugh [Grant]!’ Because he’s the funniest, most sarcastic shit that I’ve ever met!”

“Oppenheimer” ultimately emerged as the big winner at the BAFTA Awards, securing seven victories in total, including best film and lead actor for Cillian Murphy.