Taika Waititi is one of the most exciting and unique filmmakers in Hollywood and fresh off winning an Oscar for Jojo Rabbit at the 92 Academy Awards, the Australian director has just signed a new deal with Netflix.
Earlier today, the streaming giant announced they are joining forces with Waititi to create two animated TV shows based on Roald Dahl’s beloved story, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We’re hearing one of the shows will focus on the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while the other will focus solely on the Oompa-Loompas.
As confirmed by Netflix, both shows will be heavily inspired by Dahl’s 1964 novel of the same name.
“The shows will retain the quintessential spirit and tone of the original story while building out the world and characters far beyond the pages of the Dahl book for the very first time,”
Shortly after the shows were announced, Netflix’s Vice President of Original Animation, Melissa Cobb, elaborated on why Waititi was the right man for the job and Netflix’s ongoing partnership with The Roald Dahl Story Company.
“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.”
Although some fans might be concerned, which is understandable given how beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is, but we’d like to reiterate how well-respected a director Waititi has become in such a short time. After hearing the Thor: Ragnarok director was attached to the project, the commercial and entertainment director for the Roald Dahl Story Company had nothing but kind words for the Oscar-winning director.
“In the words of Willy Wonka himself – we are ‘Delighted! Charmed! Overjoyed! 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”
What are your thoughts on the two upcoming Willy Wonka shows? Is Waititi’s comedic and quirky style a match made in heaven, or would you have preferred they hire someone else? Let us know in the comments below.