Wes Anderson Is Set To Adapt Roald Dahl's 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar' With Benedict Cumberbatch

Wes Anderson is set to create another work of art. He is now planning on adapting another Roald Dahl classic. This time, he has his sights set on The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar which was first published in 1977. It is a collection of seven short stories written by Dahl at varying times throughout his life. Two of the stories are said to be autobiographical in nature and the book is different from his other works, which are generally meant for children. This one is aimed at a slightly older audience. 

Baz Bamigboye first broke the news that Anderson is set to adapt the film for a Netflix release. He also stated that he will be casting Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character. Sugar is a gambler who learns to meditate in order to acquire the ability to see through cards. He then opens a string of orphanages with his winnings. The anthology contains a mix of fact and fiction, including tales about how Dahl became a writer. Dahl's style of writing along with Anderson's unique artistic style of directing films will make for an enjoyable watch.

Previously, Anderson has worked with another one of Dahl's stories. In 2009, he adapted Fantastic Mr. Fox into a stop-motion animated film. Anderson co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, The Squid and The Whale). The film featured a star-studded cast including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson. This film premiered at the London Film Festival on October 14, 2009, and was later theatrically released and distributed by 20th Century Fox. Anderson took some creative liberties with the adaptation of this story.

Netflix acquired Dahl’s full catalog from the Roald Dahl Story Company in September 2021 after licensing 16 of Dahl’s best-known titles in 2018, reported The Guardian. As per the streaming giant, this allows the "creation of a unique universe across animated and live-action films and TV, publishing, games, immersive experiences, live theatre consumer products and more." 

The shoot for the film is set to begin soon in London. Cumberbatch has had a busy year with his role as Phil Burbank in Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog and as Doctor Strange in the third installment of Tom Holland's Spider-Man series, Spider-Man: No Way Home. This year too will be a busy one considering the award season where, unsurprisingly, Cumberbatch was nominated for his performance in The Power of the Dog. Later in 2022, we will again be seeing him in the sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.