Filmmaker Wes Anderson isn’t slowing down any time soon. Having just recently released “Asteroid City,” we’re also getting a short film adapted from the Roald Dahl book, “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.” Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the trailer has that self-aware, encapsulated universe like all Anderson films. Complete with simple, transformable sets that lend to that whimsical style. The story is narrated via fourth wall by the characters.
The Dahl story is no less quirky. Henry Sugar is an independently wealthy man living in England, who comes across a doctor’s account of a man who can see without using his eyes. The man in question, a circus performer, was taught the technique by a guru in India. He learned to see through thin objects like cards, and even solid objects like doors. Sugar also learns the technique, and uses it to cheat at gambling. But once a hard thing becomes easy, sometimes the novelty of success wears off. Which leads Sugar to re-evaluate how to use his wealth.
Anderson Seems Well-Suited To Dahl
The short story was written by Dahl as a sort of huffy response critics calling him the “King of Nastiness.” Given Dahl’s proclivity to make his protagonists’ worlds absolutely miserable. But it’s no less charming. With an Anderson twist, the short film is sure to be. It’s more than likely that any other adaptations of Dahl’s books will come through Anderson. The Dahl Family Estate gave the prolific director first dibs on adapting the short story. Especially given the success of “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.” A shame that Anderson didn’t get a crack at “The Witches,” which had a TERRIBLE modern remake.
Alongside Cumberbatch, are stars Dev Patel, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade. The film premieres on September 27th, only on Netflix. Check out the trailer now:
