Classic Roald Dahl stories never get old, which is why they are told again and again — and now Charlie, Mike Teavee, Agustus Gloop, Violet, Veruca Salt, and Wonka himself are getting a new life on Netflix.
Netflix is teaming up with Academy Award winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), who is set to write, direct, and executive produce two original animated series inspired by a Roald Dahl classic. The first series is based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while the second is an original take on the Oompa-Loompas, who will star in their own series. The shows will retain the quintessential spirit and tone of Dahl’s original story while building out the world and characters far beyond the pages.
“I grew up reading Dahl stories and lived large parts of my young life in those magical worlds, so finding just the right creative partner to bring Willy Wonka, Charlie, and the Oompa-Loompas to life in animation was a daunting task … until Taika walked into the room. Then, it was really obvious. If Dahl had created a character of a filmmaker to adapt his work, I’m pretty sure he would have created Taika,” says Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix.
Netflix and The Roald Dahl Story Company are also partnering to reimagine more of the beloved stories of Dahl, including Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, and others, as Netflix becomes the home of the first-of-its-kind slate of animation extending across the Roald Dahl story universe.
