Does Netflix Know What It is Doing With Roald Dahl?

Netflix acquired the Roald Dahl Story Firm in 2021—but it surely’s been tapping into the writer’s huge catalogue since 2018, when it inked an animation-specific deal to carry his work to the streamer. Nonetheless, whenever you assume “Roald Dahl,” Netflix isn’t precisely the very first thing that involves thoughts; recently, the instant affiliation is both “Timothée Chalamet” or “off-brand, AI-generated attraction that went viral for being so amazingly terrible.”

That’s to not say the streamer has forgotten about its invaluable and costly IP (in 2021, the Hollywood Reporter famous that whereas phrases of the complete catalogue-rights deal weren’t made public, the 2018 animated deal was for a reported “9 figures”). Tasks created underneath its umbrella have included 2022’s Matilda the Musical, starring Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch; Wes Anderson’s 2023 The Great Story of Henry Sugar, which received a short-film Oscar and was adopted by three extra Dahl shorts additionally directed by Anderson; and animated movie The Twits, due later this yr from Phil Johnston (Ralph Breaks the Web).

And now, Netflix has introduced its newest Dahl venture, its first to utilize arguably Dahl’s hottest creation: Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility. (As THR factors out, Chalamet’s Wonka movie, launched in late 2023, pre-dated the Dahl-Netflix deal.) Weirdly, although, it takes a cue from one other of Netflix’s big-ticket franchises, Squid Recreation, within the type of a actuality competitors referred to as The Golden Ticket.

Whereas Squid Recreation: The Problem was each controversial and confusing, it was additionally a big hit—and also you see how some enterprising producer was in a position to pull “recreation present” out of Dahl’s authentic ebook, which follows a gaggle of youngsters and their dad and mom who, after snagging these elusive golden tickets, discover themselves within the working to inherit Willy Wonka’s fantastical manufacturing facility. Not like the fictional Squid Recreation, the also-ran characters in Chocolate Manufacturing facility aren’t minimize down with machine weapons, however they do face some grim penalties—together with being dumped down a rubbish chute and turning into a large blueberry.

The Golden Ticket continues to be within the casting section, however Netflix is simply contemplating candidates 18 and up, so no precise youngsters might be put by its paces. Particulars are scarce this early within the course of, however a press release posted on the streamer’s Tudum website payments The Golden Ticket as “an all-new actuality competitors impressed by the daring and imaginative universe of Wonka.”

It continues: “Similar to Charlie Bucket and the opposite youngsters in Roald Dahl’s authentic 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility, a gaggle of fortunate contestants could have the prospect to step into the whimsical wonderland—and to enter, you’ll want a coveted golden ticket. To realize candy success on this high-stakes social experiment, gamers should adapt and strategize, as a golden ticket solely will get you thus far. Wonka’s friends should stand up to video games, assessments, and temptations designed to show their instincts, resilience, and talent to thrive within the chaos of a retro-futuristic dreamscape.”

Oompa-Loompas not included, apparently, although there’s all the time an opportunity your Netflix addition would possibly come again to hang-out you, a la poor Mike Teevee. You possibly can try tips on how to apply for the present at the casting website, which brings some Squid Recreation connotations again into the image by calling The Golden Ticket “a social experiment like no different” and promising a “big prize.” What may go incorrect?

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