Netflix announced a while ago that it has acquired the rights to many of Roald Dahl’s classics with plans to develop them as animated series. The first is based on the world and characters of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The second is a wholly original take on the Oompa-Loompas, the laborers in the factory. They will star in their own event series. Taika Waititi will write, direct and executive produce both projects.
Waititi’s signing on these two series marks the beginning of a partnership between Netflix and The Roald Dahl Story Company. Other projects under the deal will take inspiration from other Dahl books including Matilda, The BFG, and The Twits. Netflix VP of original animation Melissa Cobb said in a statement, “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.”
Waititi’s directing credits include Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt For The Wilderpeople, What We Do In The Shadows, and the Oscar-nominated short film, Two Cars, One Night. He is currently in post-production on the feature film Next Goal Wins and will next write and direct Thor: Love and Thunder. Waititi directed the season one finale of The Mandalorian on Disney+, and he served as executive producer, co-writer, and director the TV adaptation of What We Do In The Shadows on FX, now going into its second season.
