Netflix added some serious weight to its intellectual property catalogue today, announcing it has acquired exclusive rights to the entire catalogue of Roald Dahl children’s books.
While specifics of the deal, including financials, weren’t made public, The Roald Dahl Story Company will officially become a subdivision of Netflix, giving it full control over the publishing rights and royalties of Roald Dahl’s works.
Netflix announced the deal in a tweet accompanied by a short “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” inspired golden ticket animation, which itself opens up to reveal a line from “James and the Giant Peach”, two iconic franchises acquired as part of the deal.
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
The deal expands on one signed in 2018 that allowed Netflix to develop a handful of animated series based on Dahl’s works. An animated Charlie and the Chocolate Factory show, among several other projects, are already well underway from that existing deal.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, and Luke Kelly, grandson of Dahl and modern day president of his company, hinted at a wide scope of new projects that will spawn out of the deal, including video games and stage shows. in a joint statement
“These (existing) projects opened our eyes to a much more ambitious venture – the creation of a unique universe across animated and live action films and TV, publishing, games, immersive experiences, live theatre, consumer products and more,”
With sole ownership under its belt, it will be interesting to see just how much Netflix leans into the often speculated overarching universe that, may or may not, encompass all of Dahl’s stories…