Tim Burton’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, made changes to the story, including the possibility that Willy Wonka’s firing of Grandpa Joe had a profound impact on the Bucket family’s poverty. Charlie Bucket lives in poverty with his parents and grandparents, but according to fans of the story, the real reason for their struggles lies in the events of Willy Wonka’s past. It is theorized that the Buckets were once in a stable financial position, as they lived in close proximity to Wonka’s factory and Grandpa Joe had been a worker there.
The argument goes that after Grandpa Joe was fired due to spies within the factory’s employee base stealing Wonka’s recipes, his firing left the Bucket family with a sudden lack of income, plunging them into poverty. The evidence points to Grandpa Joe’s story as a direct contributor to their financial struggles.
The Buckets’ fate could have been sealed if it were not for Wonka’s own fortune and determination to protect his work. Grandpa Joe does not harbor grudges towards Wonka, even visiting him with Charlie towards the end of the story.
The movie provides closure for the Bucket family at the end of the visit when Wonka offers Charlie his chocolate factory, acknowledging him as his chosen heir due to his exceptional behavior and good character. Inheriting the factory brought a newfound financial stability and security, which, by extension, improved their lives, making Grandpa Joe’s experiences and firings seem all the more bitter sweet.