Two years ago, we learned that Netflix was hard at work on building animated properties out of the works of Roald Dahl. While it wasn't yet confirmed who would be working on it, we should've guessed it would be Taika Waititi. After all, the guy simply can't stop working on just about everything.
Yes, the Jojo Rabbit/Thor: Ragnarok/Akira director has added yet another project to his workload with a pair of series for the streamer. The first is an animated adaptation of the beloved 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while the second will find Waititi doing an entirely original take on Willy Wonka's Oompa-Loompas.
Netflix promises that both projects will build entire new world that go far beyond the pages of Dahl's book. Waititi will write, direct and executive produce both films.
"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," Netflix vice-president of original animation Melissa Cobb said in a statement. "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."
Roald Dahl Story Company's Gideon Simeloff added, "In the words of Willy Wonka himself — we are 'Delighted! Charmed! Overjoyed!' with Taika's appointment on this project. There is something undeniably Wonka-esque about Taika's creative flair and inimitable sense of humor and we cannot think of anyone more perfectly suited to leading the creative charge on these first of their kind, feature quality Netflix shows."
It's unclear when the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cartoon and its Oompa-Loompas spinoff will hit devices, but it will be the first of many collaborations between Netflix and Dahl's estate.
The streamer has also licensed Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, George's Marvellous Medicine, Boy — Tales of Childhood, Going Solo, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Esio Trot, Dirty Beasts and Rhyme Stew.
Yes, the Jojo Rabbit/Thor: Ragnarok/Akira director has added yet another project to his workload with a pair of series for the streamer. The first is an animated adaptation of the beloved 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while the second will find Waititi doing an entirely original take on Willy Wonka's Oompa-Loompas.
Netflix promises that both projects will build entire new world that go far beyond the pages of Dahl's book. Waititi will write, direct and executive produce both films.
"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," Netflix vice-president of original animation Melissa Cobb said in a statement. "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."
Roald Dahl Story Company's Gideon Simeloff added, "In the words of Willy Wonka himself — we are 'Delighted! Charmed! Overjoyed!' with Taika's appointment on this project. There is something undeniably Wonka-esque about Taika's creative flair and inimitable sense of humor and we cannot think of anyone more perfectly suited to leading the creative charge on these first of their kind, feature quality Netflix shows."
It's unclear when the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cartoon and its Oompa-Loompas spinoff will hit devices, but it will be the first of many collaborations between Netflix and Dahl's estate.
The streamer has also licensed Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, George's Marvellous Medicine, Boy — Tales of Childhood, Going Solo, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Esio Trot, Dirty Beasts and Rhyme Stew.