 After reading the script, Gene Wilder (qv) said he would make the  film under one condition: that he would be allowed to do a  somersault in the scene when he first meets the children. When asked  why, Gene Wilder (qv) replied that having Willy Wonka start out  limping and end up somersaulting would set the tone for that  character. He wanted to portray him as someone whose actions were  completely unpredictable. His request to do the somersault was  granted.