Wilder sweetens Tsai Center

Academy Award-nominated actor Gene Wilder drew more than 500 people to the Boston University Tsai Performance Center Wednesday night to a sold-out question and answer session with WBUR's Robin Young.

Wilder discussed his acting career and love life, among other things, while promoting his new book, Kiss Me Like a Stranger. He also stayed after the interview to sign copies of his book for fans.

Throughout his career, Wilder starred in Blazing Saddles, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Stir Crazy.

"I knew I wanted to write about my search for real love, not lust, but real, lasting love," he said during the interview. "And I wanted to write about my search for real acting, not how much money you can make from publicity and posters and all that, but the art of acting."

Wilder described his book as a collection of ironic anecdotes and how each situation affected his life.

The actor, who's birth name is Jerry Silberman, said Charlie and the Chocolate Factory bombed at the box office and only became popular as a cult film after it left theaters.

Wilder commented on Johnny Depp's role as Willy Wonka in the upcoming film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

"If I was the director, the only person really that I would want to play [Willy Wonka] would be Johnny Depp because he has something magical about him and something that's mysterious and I think that's what's required," he said.

Wilder said he thought the film would differ from the original due to the unique style of director Tim Burton, whose previous films include The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands.

"If Tim Burton is writing and directing it's not going to be like the Willy Wonka that you all know," he said. "I don't know this but I think that it's going to be ... scary."

He said he was disappointed the movie was being remade.

"If you gave me my choice, I would say don't do it," he said.

Wilder noted other significant career experiences, including working with director Mel Brooks, his marriage to actress Gilda Radner, his relationship with comedian Richard Pryor and his battle with cancer.

Wilder said he has considered returning to the silver screen.

"I do want to act again, if I could find a really good script," he said.