Netflix, Waititi visit Dahl’s Chocolate Factory

Netflix has teamed up with Oscar-winner Taika Waititi to produce two new original animated series based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.

Taika Waititi

Waititi is on board to write, direct and exec produce the two new projects which will feature characters from the book, including the Oompa-Loompas.

The announcement of the two series marks the beginning of a partnership between Netflix and The Roald Dahl Story Company which will see the streaming giant adapt a number of Dahl’s novels, including Matilda, The BFG and The Twits.

Melissa Cobb, Netflix VP of original animation, said: “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 credits include the Jojo Rabbit, for which he picked up this year’s Best Adapated Screenplay Oscar, Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt For The Wilderpeople and What We Do In The Shadows. He is currently in post-production on the feature film Next Goal Wins.

Waititi directed the season one finale of Disney+’s The Mandalorian and also featured as executive producer, co-writer and director on FX’s TV adaptation of What We Do In The Shadows, now entering its second run.

Netflix is working to expand its slate of animated family-oriented feature titles, with upcoming shows The Willoughbys and Over The Moon.