Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and Peter Ostrom as Charlie Bucket on the set of the fantasy film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
silver screen set | fake photos
LONDON – Netflix has acquired the full catalog of beloved children’s author Roald Dahl known for his works such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda”.
The giant American broadcasting company announced, on Wednesday, that it had bought the Roald Dale Story Company, which manages the rights to the characters and stories of the British novelist. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We are thrilled to announce that The Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) and Netflix have collaborated to bring some of the world’s most beloved stories to current and future fans in new and innovative ways,” Netflix said in a statement. Bio, which featured a chocolate bar that was disassembled to reveal a golden ticket, in reference to the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
The move comes three years after Netflix signed a deal to create a slate of new animated productions based on Dahl’s work, including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Matilda” and “The BFG.”
Many of Dahl’s works have already been made into internationally acclaimed films, including 1971’s “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” starring Jane Wilder and 2009’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” Depp was a huge box office hit, with a total of His earnings are $475 million.
Netflix, which was already working on a series based on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and adapted from “Matilda The Musical,” said that “these projects opened our eyes to an even more ambitious mission: to create a world unique in the whole world.” Live Action, Animation, Television, Publishing, Games, Immersive Experiences, Live Theatre, Consumer Products, and more. “
“Roald Dahl’s books have been translated into 63 languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide, with the likes of Matilda, The BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Willy Wonka, and The Delightful Twits of Children’s Generations,” said Ted, CEO. Netflix co-founder Sarandos and Luke Kelly, grandson of Roald Dahl and CEO of Roald Dahl Story, said in a joint statement: “These stories and their messages about the power and potential of youth have never felt more relevant.”
“As we bring these timeless tales to more audiences in new formats, we’re committed to preserving their unique spirit and universal themes of surprise and kindness, while adding a little new magic into the mix.”
The acquisition marks one of the largest content acquisitions for Netflix, which has invested heavily in original content and intellectual property in an effort to maintain its leadership over legacy media companies.
Disney has proven to be a formidable competitor, with 116 million people now subscribing to the Disney+ streaming service. AT&T’s HBO Max subscribers exceeded 67 million worldwide at the end of June. Netflix is still the biggest player, with more than 209 million paid members worldwide.
While Dahl is one of Britain’s best-known authors, his work has recently been seen in a different light amid concerns about his anti-Semitic views. Dahl, who died in 1990, has also been criticized for portraying some of his characters as misogynistic and racist.
In 2018, the United Kingdom’s Royal Mint rejected plans to commemorate Dahl’s life with a commemorative coin due to its association with anti-Semitism.
Last year, the Roald Dahl Story Company issued an apology for the writer’s anti-Semitic remarks.
“Such biased comments are incomprehensible to us and are in stark contrast to the man we know and the values at the heart of Roald Dahl’s stories, which have positively impacted young people for generations,” the company said at the time.
“Hopefully, as he did at his best, at his worst, Roald Dahl will help us remember the lasting effect of words.”
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