Following the release of 2021’s The French Dispatch, Wes Anderson is returning to screens with a second adaptation of a Roald Dahl story – 12 years after his Oscar-nominated version of Fantastic Mr Fox.
The adaptation of the short story The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar will be released on Netflix, which recently purchased rights to Dahl’s full catalogue. First published in 1977, the story follows a magical gambler who gains the power to see through cards. Benedict Cumberbatch will play the lead role, with more announcements to follow.
Netflix acquired Dahl’s full catalogue from the Roald Dahl Story Company in September 2021. This includes two TV shows from Jojo Rabbit’s Taika Waititi, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Oompa Loompas, and an animated series based on The Twits.
A Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel, Wonka, is also in production. Starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, it promises several singing and dancing numbers – which will no doubt give Chalamet stans plenty to drool over.
Wonka will be directed by Paul King, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby. David Heyman and Luke Kelly are on board as producers, while Michael Siegel is set to executive produce.