Netflix Reimagines Roald Dahl Classic in ‘The Twits’ Trailer

Trailer for ‘The Twits’, Courtesy of Jellyfish Pictures/Netflix Animation

Legends in animated films will be leading the team. The film is co-directed by Phil Johnston, known for his work on ‘Wreck-It Ralph‘ and ‘Zootopia’. Alongside big-name collaborators Katie Shanahan and Todd Demong, Johnston and co-writer of the screenplay Meg Favreau, ‘The Twits’ was crafted with humor, nostalgia and heart.

The animation is being handled by Jellyfish Pictures, the same studio that contributed to the acclaimed visuals of the hit movie ‘How to Train Your Dragon‘. With a clear dedication to top-tier animation quality, the visual style is reportedly characterized by a distinctive look and detailed aesthetic. While still a family-friendly film, the visuals will be sophisticated and a little edgy.

A Story of Spite, Pranks, and Payback

‘The Twits’ will follow the miserable lives of Mr. and Mrs. Twit, a hideous yet comedic couple who spend their days playing nasty tricks on each other. Their cruelty extends to the animals they keep, including the monkey company they keep – the Muggle-Wumps family who are encouraged to perform dangerous acrobatics for entertainment.

Yet the film’s narrative focuses on the reign of the Twits terror coming to an end. The clever and magical family, the Roly-Poly bird and her children, arrive on the scene and take notice of the plight of the Muggle-Wumps. The lovable creatures unite to turn the tables on the Twits! The film promises to capture Dahl’s signature dark humor as the animals devise a plan to act revenge on the twisted Twits.

An All-Star Cast and Crew

In addition to talented voice actors such as Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Ryan Anderson Lopez voicing characters in ‘The Twits’, the talent behind all of the sound in the film undeniable.

The Music

The musical score, a truly crucial element in animated features, is being composed by Grammy-winning artists David Byrne and Hayley Williams. This level of musical talent ensures the film’s soundtrack will be as memorable and impactful as its visuals. As Netflix releases more details, anticipation will surely build around who will bring these iconic characters to life.

Netflix and Dahl

There is a larger goal for Netflix to produce ‘The Twits’. The creation is part of a much larger strategy for Netflix. In 2021, the streaming platform made a bold move by purchasing Roald Dahl Story Company. This acquisition gives Netflix the exclusive rights to Dahl’s entire catalog. The deal allows Netflix to create projects based on all of Dahl’s works, including films, series, and specials.

Bringing Dahl’s works to life on a modern platform and translating such a celebrated author’s timeless stories for a new generation with respect for the original work is not an easy feat. With the premier of ‘The Twits’ a new era of major animated features will hit the ground running and set the stage for what audiences can expect from future projects.

The Future of Netflix Animation

‘The Twits’ is only the beginning for Netflix and their new investment into this genre of streaming entertainment. The company is investing in original animated content to make a name for themselves in the animation market. By collaborating with world-class directors, writers and animators, Netflix can reach a diverse demographic of consumers with animated content and crossovers.

The release of ‘The Twits’ on Netflix later this year will shed an insight beyond the singular project. Netflix is not just adapting a classic book, but building a new home for animated storytelling. With other Dahl-inspired projects in the works, we can look forward to future animated films that are innovative, comedic, and have Dahl’s signature dark humor ingrained in the final result for excited audiences via Netflix.