Entertainment

Taika Waititi to adapt Charlie And The Chocolate Factory for Netflix

He won an Oscar last month for dark comedy Jojo Rabbit.
He won an Oscar last month for dark comedy Jojo Rabbit.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi is set to produce an animated adaption of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory for Netflix.

Waititi will direct and write two series based on the celebrated author’s work, with the second a “wholly original” interpretation of the Oompa-Loompas, the streaming giant said.

Netflix struck a deal with the Dahl estate in 2018. At the time, it was reported Matilda, The BFG and The Twits were among the books set to be adapted.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, published in 1964, is one of British author Dahl’s best-known works and has been adapted multiple times.

Gene Wilder starred as the chocolatier Willy Wonka in Mel Stuart’s 1971 film while Johnny Depp portrayed the character in Tim Burton’s 2005 version.

New Zealand-born Waititi is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after filmmakers and is known for his quirky, off-beat style.

His latest film, the satirical black comedy Jojo Rabbit, won Waititi the best adapted screenplay Oscar at last month’s Academy Awards.

Other projects include What We Do In The Shadows and Thor: Ragnarok.