Could Nicole Kidman be the next Willy Wonka?

A very small but passionate group of fans are calling for the Australian actress to star in a gender-bending reimagining of Roald Dahl's children's book.

Almost 40 years have passed since Mel Stuart's classic film adaption. Tim Burton's remake, of course, hit cinemas in 2005.

Now, it's been confirmed Paddington director Paul King is in final negotiations to lead an upcoming Warner Bros reboot. While the script is being kept under lock and key, people attached to the project have said it's unlikely to be a straight retelling of the story generations of children have grown up with.