Netflix Purchases the Roald Dahl Estate, Setting Up Series, Movies, Live Action Adaptations and More!

Television

Netflix has officially announced their acquisition of the estate of Roald Dahl, including the Roald Dahl Story Company, meaning that the streaming juggernaut will have license over all the legendary author’s works across all mainstream entertainment platforms. So if you’ve been jonesing for a BFG RPG or Matilda comic book to go along with the Taika Waititi (of Thor: Ragnarok and Jo Jo Rabbit directorial fame) helmed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory animated show, you’ll be in luck.

Per the BBC, the Roald Dahl Story Company will become a division of Netflix. It earned the previous owner, Dahl’s grandson Luke Kelly, £26,000,000 in revenue for the 2019 fiscal year. In a joint statement, Mr. Kelly and Ted Sarandos claimed that they are “joining forces to bring some of the world’s most loved stories to current and future fans in creative new ways.” Very exciting, considering what they have done to the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe… universe.

This move was a seeming formality, as there was an extensive working relationship developed in 2018 between the two, allowing for animated series to be produced based on Roald Dahl’s creations (hence the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory series already in development). 18 additional series, films, stage shows, and (always enjoyable…) live experiences are on the books for Netflix.

Excited to announce that the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) and Netflix are joining forces to bring some of the world's most loved stories to current and future fans in creative new ways.

“We are now about to visit the most marvellous places and see the most wonderful things.” pic.twitter.com/kc22Gmfhmx

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) September 22, 2021

Above is the announcement video from Netflix, showing a classic “Wonka Bar” being peeled to reveal a Golden Ticked with the Netflix logo emblazoned on it. The ticket then turns over to reveal the classic line, “There is no knowing what we shall see,” from James and the Giant Peach.

Given Netflix’s less than stellar record with adaptations of beloved source material, there is cause for concern; yet the door is open to some excitement. Perhaps the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory series will be good; some people really enjoyed Thor: Ragnarok (people enjoy and pay to get pissed on too), yet the idea of a BFG live-action adaptation that is anything akin to how Death Note was treated will be met with the sound of millions of exploding childhoods. Here’s hoping for more Daredevil and less Iron Fist, but it’s Netflix, so don’t get too excited.