The Gene Wilder/Mel Stuart Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will surely make for one of the greatest pinball machines of all-time. I spent over an hour scanning through this massive thread and was finally convinced and relieved beyond words that the far, far, far inferior Depp version is not at all on the table. As others have said it would be a Herculean blunder to go in that direction and I too am of the mind-set of a few others who seem insulted such a gaffe would even be humanely possible. Yes JJP machines are incomparably sturdy and reliable, stacked and ornate, deep and engaging. I own only one, Emerald City WOZ, new in box which I bought for 9K from my usual Ct supplier several months ago, joining a mint GI, new in box MM re-make; new in box AFM re-make and excellent condition ELVIS (Stern) and the only clearly used machine, my TAF which plays perfectly but sports a worn playfield. But I have played DI, TH on location and POTC and love them all.

There are two machines I want to add. One is the just-released CGC Monster Bach LE re-make and the other of course is WILLY WONKA, which could well be my family's favorite of all. I met my wife helping her stage a third grade play in 1991, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in the NJ Elementary School where we both taught/teach, so the title holds the deepest meaning for us and our five children. But we adore the 1971, the music and the wonderful array of eccentric characters created by the most creative mind in children's literature, Roald Dahl.

Like others I will be watching gleefully for the upcoming announcement that so many say is imminent. There are so many playfield ideas I have as to the layout and toys, but others have done a fine job envisioning it all.

Yes it absolutely would be an "epic fail" which is why I can't conceive of such a calamity remotely possible.