Taika Waititi to helm two Charlie and the Chocolate Factory animated series for Netflix

Academy award-winning director Taika Waititi has signed a deal with Netflix to write, direct and produce two animated Charlie and the Chocolate Factory series, based on the works of author Roald Dahl.

While one series will be based on the world and characters of the 1964 children’s book, the second will be centered entirely around the Oompa-Loompas, the diminutive and mysterious workers who dispense chocolate, and sometimes cautionary advice, at Willy Wonka's factory. The latter series will reportedly be a wholly original take on the Oompa-Loompas.

A Netflix statement said the collaboration would mark the beginning of an "extensive partnership" with the Roald Dahl Story Company, which will reimagine many of the stories of Roald Dahl, including Matilda, The BFG, and The Twits.

Netflix added that the upcoming animation series would "retain the quintessential spirit and tone of the original story while building out the world and characters far beyond the pages of the Dahl book for the very first time."

"There is something undeniably Wonka-esque about Taika's creative flair and inimitable sense of humour and we cannot think of anyone more perfectly suited to leading the creative charge on these first-of-their-kind, feature-quality Netflix shows," said Gideon Simeloff, Entertainment Director, Roald Dahl Story Company.

Waititi's series will follow in the footsteps of Gene Wilder's 1971 portrayal of Willy Wonka and Johnny Depp's 2005 interpretation.

Recently, Waititi won an Academy Award for his adapted screenplay of Jojo Rabbit, which he directed, wrote, produced, and starred in.