From Wes Anderson comes an adaptation of Roald Dahl‘s beloved story about a rich man who sets out to master an extraordinary skill to cheat at gambling.
The upcoming movie will be adapted from Ronald Dahl’s collection of short stories titled “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More,” which was originally published in 1982. The collection contains seven short stories, and Wes Anderson is expected to cover four of them in his film adaptation.
The prospect of Wes Anderson’s return to the enchanting universe of Roald Dahl is nothing short of thrilling. What adds to the anticipation is the shroud of mystery surrounding this upcoming short film, as well as the tantalizing hint of three additional rumored shorts that await our discovery.
The central plot of the titular story revolves around Henry Sugar, a man who pilfers a tome revealing the secrets of seeing through solid objects and foreseeing the future. This initiates a chain of escapades, including dodging Mafia enforcers, collaborating with a Hollywood makeup artist to create fresh personas, and establishing orphanages across the globe.
Scheduled to make its initial appearance at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, this primary live-action short, boasting a runtime of 39 minutes is poised to be exclusively showcased on Netflix. The premise of the short film is equally captivating: it revolves around the journey of a wealthy individual who stumbles upon the existence of a mystical guru with the extraordinary ability to perceive the world without the use of his eyes. Fueled by intrigue and perhaps driven by a desire for personal gain, our protagonist embarks on a quest to master this otherworldly skill, all with the clandestine intention of exploiting it for his own advantage, particularly in the realm of gambling.
The sheer enigma surrounding the storyline, characters, and the unmistakable Wes Anderson touch promises a cinematic experience that is bound to be as unique as it is mesmerizing. As we eagerly await its release, the prospect of not only revisiting the beloved world of Roald Dahl but also venturing into uncharted territory within it makes this cinematic endeavor all the more exhilarating. Anderson’s ability to infuse whimsy, quirkiness, and profound storytelling into his work, combined with Dahl’s imaginative universe, is a combination that holds the potential to captivate audiences anew. The anticipation is palpable, and the allure of the unknown only serves to heighten our excitement for this upcoming cinematic gem.
Wes Anderson both wrote and directed the short film, while also taking on production duties alongside Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson. In this project, Anderson reunites with his previous collaborator Ralph Fiennes, who previously headlined “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Joining the Anderson ensemble for the first time are Dev Patel from “The Green Knight,” Benedict Cumberbatch known for “Doctor Strange,” Ben Kingsley of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” and Richard Ayoade, who featured in “The Souvenir Part II.”