'James and the Giant Peach' with Taika and Friends

Overview

At some point in the near future, when television production returns to normal, Taika Waititi will be writing, directing and executive producing two new animated Netflix series based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Yep, if you were wondering what the Jojo Rabbit Oscar-winner is up to next, they're a couple of things on his slate. Right now, though, he's turning his attention to another Dahl favourite — and enlisting plenty of pals.

Across ten episodes, James and the Giant Peach with Taika and Friends sees Waititi team up with a whole heap of famous talent to narrate the beloved book. If you've ever wanted to hear the Boy, What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople read to you, then here's your chance. If you've always wondered what would happen if his Thor: Ragnarok stars Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Cate Blanchett voiced James and the Giant Peach characters too, well, that's on the agenda as well.

Also lending their voices: Liam Hemsworth, Jojo Rabbit's Roman Griffin Davis and Archie Yates, plus other big names such as Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cara Delevingne, Mindy Kaling, Lupita Nyong'o, Billy Porter, Gordon Ramsay, Eddie Redmayne, Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Wilde.

Four episodes are currently available via YouTube, with new instalments added each three times a week — at 3am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Australia, and at 5am in New Zealand.

And if you're wondering why, the aim is raise funds for COVID-19 impacted charities, especially those helping seriously ill children and medical workers in vulnerable areas of the world.