Netflix buys Roald Dahl catalog

LONDON – Netflix has acquired the entire catalog from Roald Dahl, the beloved children’s author known for works such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda”.

The American streaming giant announced Wednesday that it had acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company, which manages the rights to the characters and stories of the British novelist. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Glad to announce that the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) and Netflix are joining forces to bring some of the world’s most beloved stories to current and future fans in creative new ways,” Netflix said in a tweet, which highlighted featured a chocolate bar. unwrapped to reveal a golden ticket, in reference to the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.

It comes three years after Netflix signed an agreement to create a roster of new animated productions based on Dahl’s works, including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Matilda” and “The BFG”.

Several of Dahl’s works have already been adapted into internationally acclaimed films, from 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with Gene Wilder to “Fantastic Mr. Fox” from 2009. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” , a remake of the classic film starring Johnny Depp, was a huge box office hit, totaling $ 475 million.

Netflix, which had previously worked on a series based on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and an adaptation of “Matilda The Musical,” said that “these projects opened our eyes to a much more ambitious endeavor – the creation of a unique universe through lively and live action. “

“Roald Dahl’s books have been translated into 63 languages ​​and sold over 300 million copies worldwide, with characters like Matilda, The BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Willy Wonka and The Twits ravishing generations of children and adults, ”Netflix said in a statement. Wednesday. “These stories and their messages about the power and possibilities of young people have never been more relevant.”

“As we present these timeless tales to more audiences in new formats, we are committed to maintaining their unique spirit and universal themes of surprise and cuteness, while sprinkling a bit of fresh magic into the mix. “

This is one of the biggest content takes for Netflix, which has invested heavily in original content and intellectual property in an effort to maintain its lead over traditional media companies.

Disney has proven to be a formidable competitor to Netflix, with 116 million people now subscribing to its Disney + streaming service. Netflix remains the largest player, with over 209 million paying members worldwide.

While Dahl is one of Britain’s most famous authors, his works have been seen in a different light more recently, amid concerns over his anti-Semitic views. Dahl has also been criticized for the misogynistic and racist portrayals of some of his characters.

In 2018, the UK Royal Mint rejected plans to celebrate Dahl’s life with a commemorative coin due to his association with anti-Semitism.

Last year, the Roald Dahl Story Company apologized for the story of the writer’s anti-Semitic statements.

“These damaging remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in stark contrast to the man we have known and the values ​​at the heart of Roald Dahl’s stories, which have had a positive impact on young people for generations,” the company told the time.

“We hope that, just as he did at his best, at his absolute worst, Roald Dahl can remind us of the lasting impact of words.”