Acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson is confirmed to write and direct the latest Roald Dahl adaptation for Netflix, titled The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.
Celebrated for his quirky and idiosyncratic style, the auteur leads his audience on a surreal journey amidst bursts of colour and vibrancy. A master of slow-mo, his shots are dream-like and lucid. For his latest Netflix project, he has assembled a star-studded ensemble cast that also includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley and more.
Based on Dahl’s 1977 collection of fictional and non-fictional short stories, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, The French Dispatch director is yet to confirm whether he will be releasing a collection of the narratives within an omnibus film or simply focus on the titular story that sees the misadventures of the titular protagonist Henry Sugar, addicted to gambling after he steals a book that gives him the insight to predict the future.
After having adapted Dahl’s short story into the Oscar-nominated animated film The Fantastic Mr. Fox, this film will mark Anderson’s second tryst with the acclaimed children’s author’s stories. Although Netflix has not yet announced a release date, a 2023 release has been predicted.
Cumberbatch, fresh off the success of Jane Campion’s Netflix film The Power of the Dog, will be seen as Sugar, a man who has the ability to see with his eyes closed that also aids him in cheating in card games. If the film turns out to be a set of anthology narratives woven in one, Cumberbatch’s character will be the picot of the narrative, acting as a link to the stories.
Ralph Fiennes is no stranger to Anderson’s work, having worked with him in The Grand Budapest Hotel. He shall be seen reuniting with Anderson on this film, alongside acclaimed actors Ben Kingsley and Dev Patel. The rest of the cast is yet to be announced.
Recently, the Dahl family signed a staggering deal of £370m with Netflix to hand over the rights to the novelist’s catalogue to the streaming giant. The streamer is already adapting Matilda while Timothee Chalamet is set to play the younger version of Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
