Prepare for more nostalgia: Netflix is firing up a Roald Dahl universe.
The streaming giant announced its plans to develop a batch of animated specials and event series based on the the author's classic children's books originally brilliantly illustrated by Quentin Blake (who is unmentioned in the press release). They nabbed the rights to 16 books, including Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, The Twits, George's Marvellous Medicine, and more. The projects will be a collaborative effort with the Roald Dahl Story Company and stay faithful to the tone of the original works "while also building out an imaginative story universe that expands far beyond the pages of the books themselves."
"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,” Dahl's widow, Felicity Dahl, said in a press release. "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."
Production is scheduled to begin next year; the company has yet to announced an official premiere date. The deal also features the rights to Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Boy, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Esio Trot, and Rhyme Stew.
Earlier this year, the streaming service confirmed it will launch an in-house animation studio to expand its already-stacked original animated programs, including BoJack Horseman, The Dragon Prince, and Big Mouth. "Netflix is known for innovative and high-quality storytelling," said Gideon Simeloff, strategy director for the Roald Dahl Story Company. "There is no other place in the world that can deliver animated entertainment for the whole family at such quality and scale."
