Roald Dahl’s “The Enormous Crocodile” Greenlit for Animted TV Series

London. 22 September 2011. Writer-led indie Adastra Creative and the literary estate of world-renowned author, Roald Dahl, have joined forces to produce the first ever animated television series based on a Roald Dahl title.

Developed from the best-selling children’s book The Enormous Crocodile, the television series will be faithful to Roald Dahl’s unique style of storytelling and the distinctive illustrations of his principal illustrator, Quentin Blake. Brand new stories will chart the further adventures of the hopeless Enormous Crocodile whose “secret plans and clever tricks” are humorously thwarted by the animals in the jungle – Humpy Rumpy, Mugglewump, Trunky and the Roly Poly Bird.

Adastra will develop and produce the series — 52 x 11 minutes — for the literary estate.

Although there have been many hugely successful feature film versions of Roald Dahl books (most recently Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr Fox), this is the first time Roald Dahl’s literary estate has allowed the creation of new stories based on an existing work. The task has been entrusted to highly-experienced writers Mellie Buse and Jan Page of Adastra, the creators of the award-winning pre-school comedy success, Grandpa in my Pocket.

Amanda Conquy, MD of Roald Dahl’s literary estate says: “We are delighted by our forthcoming collaboration with Adastra.  Mellie and Jan’s experience and sensibilities make them the ideal partners for Roald Dahl’s uniquely anarchic, naughty and whimsical Crocodile. It’s a very exciting project and we are delighted that it is now underway.”

Mellie Buse adds: “We were overjoyed when Roald Dahl’s literary estate contacted us with the idea of turning this timeless classic into an animated series. The Enormous Crocodile is a much-loved character and Roald Dahl books are at an all-time high. In 2010, a Roald Dahl book was sold every 5 seconds day or night. His work is currently published in 49 languages so we are sure a television version will have huge international appeal.”

Adastra is currently in discussions with UK broadcasters and is keen to talk to further potential UK and international partners.