Netflix opens a new chapter in the Dahl storybook
ROALD Dahl’s beloved stories are getting the Netflix treatment.
The entertainment streaming giant has struck a deal with the Dahl estate to “reimagine and extend” the likes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, Matilda and more.
While Netflix intends to remain faithful to the original books it also intends to build an “imaginative story universe that expands far beyond the pages of the books themselves.”
Roald Dahl’s widow, Felicity, said: “Our mission, which is purposefully lofty, is for as many children as possible around the world to experience the unique magic and positive message of Roald Dahl’s stories.
“This partnership with Netflix marks a significant move toward making that possible and is an incredibly exciting new chapter for the Roald Dahl Story Company. Roald would, I know, be thrilled.”
Dahl was born in Cardiff in 1916 and two years ago a huge celebration took over the city streets for City of the Unexpected.
The list of titles in the agreement between Netflix and the Roald Dahl Story Company includes Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 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.
Melissa Cobb, Vice President of Kids & Family Content at Netflix, added: “We have great creative ambition to reimagine the journeys of so many treasured Dahl characters in fresh, contemporary ways with the highest quality animation and production values.”
Production is set to commence on the first of the Netflix Dahl animated series in 2019.