Following the staggering £370m deal struck by the Roald Dahl Story Company with Netflix that gives the streamer the licence to adapt his entire novel catalogue, the streaming service is dedicated to bringing back the magic of Dahl’s works to screen.
Roald Dahl has delighted generation after generation with his mysterious and magical stories for children with his whimsical worlds. Netflix’s initial deal with the author’s company involved an animated series based on Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and a live-action adaptation of Matilda: The Musical.
However, the streaming platform has now decided to not only stick to animated and live-action films and series but also venture into the world of games, publishing, theatre, merch, immersive experiences and more — capitalising on the author’s unfathomable legacy.
As viewers await more of Dahl’s “timeless” content to be brought to screen by the streaming giant, here is a list of every Roald Dahl film and show that are getting certified production and coming to Netflix:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The novel was published in 1964 and has been adapted into two successful feature films. It is one of the first Roald Dahl Netflix adaptations that had been ordered. Taika Watiti, known for Jojo Rabbit and Hunt for the Winderpeople, will be helming the project, adapting the screenplay, directing and executive producing the film.
Nearly six decades old, the novel was first adapted into Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder as the iconic and eccentric Willy Wonka. Johnny Depp played a later version of Wonka that was indeed criticised. The novel sees a boy named Charlie Bucket, hailing from a poor family, chancing upon one of the five much-coveted golden tickets that assigned him a trip to Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory. Accompanied by his grandfather, Charlie embarks on a brilliant adventure that changes his life forever.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Published in 1972, Dahl’s Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator is yet to be adapted. Set to be helmed by Watiti yet again, it is a surprise as to why nobody ever took on the adaptation of this nearly 50-year-old book. A sequel, the plot is way more bizarre and outlandish and only a kind of zany tale that a filmmaker of Watiti’s stature and ingenious can handle.
The sequel involves Charlie, Wonka and Grandpa taking the Great Glass Elevator to arrive at the Space Hotel USA. Misunderstandings lead to mishaps where the trio are suspected to be spies due to their amateur attempts to talk to astronauts and the American President. Soon, they chance upon vicious shape-shifters called the Vermicious Knids who overrun the hotel.
Matilda
The Netflix adaptation is slated for a December 2022 release, reminiscent of the legendary 1996 eponymous film adaptation. Directed by Matthew Warchus, the Netflix adaptation will be based on the Tony Award-winning musical that was based on the 1988 novel by Dahl. The Netflix adaptation will see newcomer Alisha Weir follow in Mara WiWilson’sootsteps as Matilda, while Emma Thompson will be seen as the notorious Miss Trunchbull.
Staying faithful to the source material, the film will see the fan-favourite Matilda, who lives with oppressive parents, growing tired of her life and being bullied by the infamous Miss Trunchbull. Gifted with magical telekinetic powers, she soon puts up a resistance against her unkind parents and the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull to realise the power of love and freedom as she befriends the kind Miss Honey.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
One of the most anticipated Netflix adaptations, the project will be helmed by the acclaimed auteur Wes Anderson. The star-studded ensemble will reportedly include Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade, Ralph Fiennes and Dev Patel. Based on the eponymous 1982 short story collection titled The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, it might be an omnibus film that will see all the fictional and non-fictional short stories come to life.
Cumberbatch is set to play the titular protagonist Henry Sugar, a gambler who can see even with his eyes closed. He chances upon and then steals a book that gives him an insight into the future that marks the beginning of various misadventures in his life where he even gets involved with the Mafia and creates new identities. He will also play other characters that will serve as a link between the stories.
The Twits
Based on DaDahl’s980 book, the future Netflix adaptation will be a resuscitation of the abandoned 2012 project. Disney was supposed to adapt the project based on Kirk De Micco and John Cleese’s script before abandoning the project before it was taken over by Netflix. Set to be adapted into a limited series, it seems like Phil Johnston, the writer for Wreck-it Ralph, has joined the project.
The book sees a retired circus training couple, named the Twits pranking one another relentlessly, resorting to nasty methods. Absolutely heartless, they have no regard for the animals, including the monkeys they train and the birds they capture with superglue for their pies. However, the animals can only take so much and devise a wonderful plan to take down the Twits once and for all.
