Netflix have found a golden ticket.
The streaming giant will breathe new life into some of Roald Dahl’s most popular works in a slate of animated event series.
In a deal agreed with the late author’s estate, Netflix will not only adapt Dahl’s tales but also build a story universe that goes beyond the books themselves.
The deal includes some of the author’s most famous novels, such as: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Matilda, George’s Marvelous Medicine, Boy:Tales of Childhood, Going Solo, The BFG, The Twits and The Magic Finger.
Imaginative and inspiring, Dahl’s children’s books have been adapted over and over again. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was adapted by Tim Burton, having previously been made into Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory , starring Gene Wilder. Whilst The BFG has received both an animated and live-action adaptation. Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches have also been the subjects of much-loved features.
Netflix spokesperson, Melissa Cobb said: “We have great creative ambition to reimagine the journeys of so many treasured Dahl characters in fresh, contemporary ways with the highest quality animation and production values.”
Some of Dahl’s lesser known works will also be adapted:
The Giraffe, and the Pelly and Me
The story of a young boy called Billy, who meets and befriends the workers of The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company: a monkey, giraffe, and pelican.
Billy and the Minpins
Forbidden from entering the Forest of Sin by his mother, Billy doesn’t believe her stories about monsters and ignores her warnings. Wandering through the forest, he finds himself trapped in a tree, and at the mercy of the Red-Hot Smoke-Belching Gruncher. Together with the Minpins and birds, who live in the tree, Bill plans to rid the forest of the creature.
Dirty Beasts
A collection of poems about unsuspecting animals, and oblivious humans.
Rhyme Stew
A collection of poetic reimaginings of popular folk tales, such as: ‘Hansel and Gretel’, ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’, ‘Dick Whittington and His Cat’, and ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’
The Enormous Crocodile
An enormous, greedy crocodile makes it his mission to eat children for lunch. Donning a number of disguises along the way, he finds that the rest of the animal kingdom are united in their efforts to make sure he doesn’t succeed.
Premiere dates are to be announced.
