Director Wes Anderson looks set to direct an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
After the release of Wes Anderson’s stop motion retelling of Fantastic Mr. Fox in 2009, the acclaimed director is returning to the world of Roald Dahl. This time he will be making The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the starring role.
According to Daily Mail entertainment reporter Baz Bamigboye, the film will be released on Netflix, and the project is due to start filming in London ‘soon’. Wes Anderson is currently working on his follow-up to The French Dispatch, titled Asteroid City. It may be a while, then, before this latest film hits our screens.
The Roald Dahl story was published in 1977 as part of a book of short stories of the same name. The protagonist, the aforementioned Henry Sugar, is a man who enjoys gambling. To his surprise and good fortune, he discovers a book that teaches him how to ‘see without using his eyes’. He learns how to see through cards at the other end of the table, and even to predict the future.
There is no more casting information as yet, but just the addition of Benedict Cumberbatch is exciting enough. His recent performance in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog has gained him some considerable awards buzz. All the while he remains a consistent presence in blockbuster films through his role as Dr. Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Henry Sugar is the latest addition to a number of Roald Dahl projects in the works at Netflix. Since they acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company in September last year, they have announced several adaptations. Taika Waititi (of What We Do In The Shadows fame) is set to helm Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. A new version of Matilda the Musical is also confirmed.
With Wes Anderson known for his distinctive vision and work with ensemble casts, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is sure to be an interesting addition to Netflix’s world of Roald Dahl.
More news as we hear it.
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