In February 2003, a feature film adaptation of the book entered development at Vanguard Animation with its founder John H. Williams set to produce. As part of a multi-picture deal with Walt Disney Pictures, Vanguard was set to produce a CG animated/live-action film, with John Cleese and Kirk DeMicco writing the screenplay.[1]
In November 2004, it was reported that Mark Mylod signed up to direct the feature, and that Cleese may star in the film.[2] In October 2006, after the executive/regime changes at Disney, the project moved to Working Title and Universal.[3][4] By January 2012, the official site of Vanguard Animation stated that Conrad Vernon, the director of Shrek 2 (2004) and Monsters vs. Aliens (2009), would direct the film.[5]
In April 2022, following Netflix's acquisition of the Roald Dahl company,[6][7] it was reported that a feature film will be distributed by Netflix, after having previously announced an animated series based on the book.[8] In September 2023, alongside the release of a first-look image of the film, it was announced that Phil Johnston was directing the feature and co-writing the screenplay with Meg Favreau.[7]
