Taika Waititi is doing his part to raise money for COVID-19 relief.
The “Jojo Rabbit” filmmaker has begun hosting an online read-along of the Roald Dahl children’s novel “James and the Giant Peach” this week. And along the way, Waititi has been joined by an all-star lineup.
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"James and the Giant Peach With Taika and Friends" is in partnership with the Roald Dahl Story Company and raises funds for Partners In Health, which Dahl's daughter, Ophelia, co-founded. The medical and social justice organization fights COVID-19 and backs public health systems in some of the globe's most vulnerable communities around the world, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Being an adult child myself and having read ‘James and the Giant Peach’ to my girls multiple times, I’m excited to be able to partner with my friends, the Dahl team and Partners in Health and retell this story to help those most in need right now,” Waititi said in a statement. “This wacky, wonderful tale is about resilience in children, triumph over adversity and dealing with a sense of isolation, which couldn't be more relevant today.”
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Launched May 18 and airing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the Roald Dahl YouTube channel, stars featured in the 10-episode series so far include Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris and Liam Hemsworth, the former two of whom has filmed Marvel's "Avengers" film series in Atlanta, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep Oliva Wilde to name a few.
Deadline reported other stars set to appear include Lupita Nyong'o, who starred in Atlanta-filmed "Black Panther," Mindy Kaling and Ryan Reynolds. The latter had been set to return to Atlanta to film the Netflix thriller "Red Notice" earlier this year.
Donations can be made to the read-along here. The Roald Dahl Story Company will match up to $1 million in donations, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Other partners are on tap to match beyond that.
“We’re so grateful to Taika Waititi and the Roald Dahl Story Company for pulling together this extraordinary initiative and amazing array of talent,” Ophelia Dahl said in a statement. “It will undoubtedly help in the fight against the long-standing health inequities we see in many parts of the world. Thank you for your generosity.”
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