Here come the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory clones. Dustin Hoffman is substituting toys for candy in the upcoming film Mr. Magdorium’s Wonder Emporium.

Empire reports that Hoffman has signed up to play Mr. Magdorium in an attempt to out Wonka the Wonkinator. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Rain Man show up Depp. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory made money, and is liked by people who don’t know any better (I suspect the same people who like Napoleon Dynamite)… but really… it sucked. I loved Dustin’s bizarre take on Captain Hook in Hook, and could really see him doing something like that for this film. It’s just a shame they can’t come up with something more original than a blatant Willy Wonka knockoff.

Here’s Empire’s plot synopsis. Check for lawsuit-worthy similarities: “The story revolves around the aforementioned Mr. Magorium, the eccentric owner of a spectacular and enchanted toy shop. He decides to leave his stupendous store to a depressed girl (played by Natalie Portman), in the hope that she can keep the magic alive.”

Isn’t Natalie Portman a little old to be playing a “girl”?