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Gene Wilder rejected James Corden's 'Late Late' invite in an email as sweet as a Wonka Bar


As far as experiences with Gene Wilder go, it seems like James Corden got the golden ticket.

Before beginning Monday night's episode of The Late Late Show, the host shared a story about meeting the actor who died on Monday.

"He came to see me at a play in New York, and when you hear that Gene Wilder's in the audience, you just are terrified," he explained. Corden also said the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory star came backstage after the show, and they chatted for half an hour, a memory that Corden said will stick with him for a lifetime.

"We were just talking, and the thing I remember — I was thinking about it today — that all he really wanted to talk about was how my wife and son were adjusting in New York, and were we happy, and was it fun, and it was amazing."

Corden shared that the two exchanged emails, and he asked Wilder to be a part of a Willy Wonka sketch for his first Late Late Show. Though Wilder declined his offer, Corden described the rejection as "so poetic" and reminiscent of Willy Wonka.

"He sent me an email back where, in the history of people saying no to things, it couldn't have been nicer," Corden said. "And, I searched it out today, and the email he sent me just said:

'Dearest James,

I don't do or go where you are hoping, but I'll be looking for you.

With my love,
Gene.'"