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The
publisher of the famed children's novelist caused a stir earlier
this year when it emerged that new editions of his books had
removed or changed references to gender, race and physical
appearance to avoid causing offence.
Looking to quell the outcry, publisher Puffin said it would put
out the books again later this year uncensored. Anderson said
all original art should be left unmolested.
"I'm probably the worst person to ask about this because, you
know, if you ask me, should Renoir be allowed to touch up one of
his pictures and modify it? I would say, no," he told reporters
at the Venice Film Festival.
"Certainly no one who's not an author should be modifying
somebody's book. He's dead," said Anderson, who has had a busy
year having just presented his last film "Asteroid City" at the
Cannes Film Festival.
"Henry Sugar" is the second Dahl book that Anderson has brought
to the screen, following his hugely successful 2009 stop-motion
animated movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox".
Unlike that picture, "Henry Sugar" is not a full-length film,
rather a 40-minute feature, and has real-life actors, including
Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel and Ben Kingsley, with Ralph
Fiennes playing the part of the author.
It will show on the streamer Netflix, which bought the rights in
2021 to adapt Roald Dahl stories.
"In a way, it's almost more like a little theatrical
presentation that we found a way to film," said Anderson,
explaining he had taken years to decide how to shoot the story.
He revealed that he had completed several other short versions
of Dahl's stories, including "Poison", "The Ratcatcher" and "The
Swan", which stars British actor Rupert Friend.
"They're all strange, but I don't really have any other ones in
mind," said Anderson, adding: "I have some things brewing, but
that might be it on Dahl at the moment."
(Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing
by Alison Williams)
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