Pictures courtesy of Netflix
It’s been a long and winding road for Netflix’s ambitious plans with the Roald Dahl library, but we finally have some concrete updates on the crown jewel of the collection. A brand-new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory animated feature film is officially headed to Netflix in 2027! Here’s everything we know so far about the highly anticipated return to the Wonka factory.
As you may remember, Netflix first announced its massive partnership with The Roald Dahl Story Company back in 2018, acquiring the rights to adapt over 15 of the prolific author’s beloved tales. Three years later, in 2021, Netflix went one step further and outright acquired the entire company.
Since then, we’ve been treated to the spectacular live-action Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) and Wes Anderson’s Oscar-winning short The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (plus other shorts), alongside last year’s animated adaptation of The Twits. But ever since the initial slate announcement, fans have been eagerly awaiting news on the boy who found the golden ticket.
Rewinding to 2020, Netflix initially announced that Academy Award winner Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) was on board to write, direct, and executive produce a pair of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory projects. At the time, they were billed as “event series” (which is essentially a limited series in Netflix lingo). One was set in the world and characters of the original 1964 book, while the second was described as a “wholly original take” centered on the Oompa-Loompas.
However, as we’ve reported previously, things have shifted behind the scenes. The last reference we ever got for the series was when Mikros Animation was staffing up back in 2022, but things went quiet after that, with most people connected to that project having ceased working on it by early 2023.
That brings us to Charlie vs. The Chocolate Factory, an animated feature film scheduled for a 2027 release.
What is the plot of Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory?
Picture Credit: Netflix (Click for full size)
This new movie is not a straight remake of the book, nor is it akin to the three live-action movies we’ve had over multiple decades. Instead, expect a slightly darker twist to the beloved lore. The story picks up after Willy Wonka has done a stint in prison for the infamous “blueberry” incident, and shifts the focus to a heist orchestrated by a new generation of kids.
Here is the official logline provided by Netflix:
“Willy Wonka has spent the years since the Golden Ticket contest behind bars (not the chocolate kind) for the crime of turning a child into a blueberry. Having served his time, Wonka returns to his factory determined to add a little sweetness to a bitter world. But one thing stands in his way: teenager Charlie Paley and his friends. Facing eviction, this next generation of “rotten” kids plot to break into the factory, nab a priceless Wonka Bar, and save their homes. But like many before them who enter the fantastical world of the factory, these kids are in for a bit more than they can chew…”
In addition to this wild new narrative, the feature film will include original songs, brand-new characters, and even some surprising returns from the original story.
Who is voicing Wonka and the new Charlie?
Pictures: Netflix / Getty Images
Netflix has lined up some heavy hitters for the lead roles in this animated adventure.
Academy Award-winner Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) will be stepping into the purple velvet coat to voice the legendary chocolatier, Willy Wonka. Waititi, who is also serving as an Executive Producer on the film, shared his excitement for the role: “He is so special to me, and the opportunity to voice such an iconic, eccentric candy genius—if a little mischievous at times—is hugely exciting.”
Starring opposite Waititi is Heartstopper fan-favorite and Children’s & Family Emmy-award winner Kit Connor, best known for his long-running stint on Heartstopper for Netflix. He will be voicing the brand-new protagonist, teenager Charlie Paley.
“I’m so excited to enter the wonderful world of Wonka,” Connor said of his casting. “I was immediately caught by the early concept art, and the directors’ vision for the film – capturing the spirit and heart that made the original story so special, whilst imbuing it with something so fresh and unique. It’s such a fun representation of the London that I know.”
Who is behind the animation and direction?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a Netflix Animation Studio Original, with breathtaking visuals handled by the Academy Award-winning Sony Pictures Imageworks. Given their groundbreaking work on films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Netflix projects like Over The Moon, Vivo, KPop Demon Hunters, and The Sea Beast, audiences can expect a bold, arresting animation style.
Picture Credit: Getty Images / CartoonBrew
Directing the feature are Jared Stern (The LEGO Batman Movie, Netflix’s Green Eggs and Ham) and Elaine Bogan (Netflix’s Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, Spirit Untamed), with the pair having been working on the project since at least 2023.
The directing duo teased the chaotic fun of the upcoming movie, saying:
“Having been raised on the delightfully twisted world of Willy Wonka, it’s a privilege to bring his continued adventures to life as twisted adults. And how sweet to do it like never before via the magic of animation, creating a Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory that’s more deliciously unhinged than your wildest imagination. If we do a rotten job, you can throw us down a rubbish chute!”
Rounding out the creative team are Academy Award-winning producer Aron Warner (Shrek) and producer Timothy Yoo (Back to the Outback, Green Eggs and Ham).
When is Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory coming to Netflix?
Netflix has officially slated Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory for a 2027 release.
We will keep this preview updated with all the latest teaser trailers, cast announcements, and exact release dates as soon as they become available! Are you excited for this next iteration of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for Netflix? Let us know in the comments, and you can add a reminder about the film on Netflix now.
