Hollywood actress Natalie Portman has said she was “so excited” to be a part of animated Netflix film The Twits, as it is a movie her children can “enjoy”.
The Oscar-winning star, 44, who has a son named Aleph and a daughter named Amalia with her ex-husband Benjamin Millepied, voices Mary Muggle-Wump, a magical creature from Loompaland.
Portman told the PA news agency: “I was so excited to be part of a film my kids could enjoy.
“I am a big fan of (director) Phil (Johnston) and so was excited to work with him. And of course, to work on a classic Roald Dahl piece that had never been adapted.”
The film, which is the first on-screen adaptation of The Twits, tells the story of “the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world” who own and operate “the most disgusting, most dangerous, most idiotic amusement park in the world”, according to a description from Netflix.
Mary Muggle-Wump, along with her husband and daughter, are freed from a cage in the Twits’ back garden and team up with 12-year-old Beesha (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Bubsy (Ryan Lopez) to stand up to the couple.
Portman said: “I think the ability of the children to understand the Muggle-Wumps reflects the kind of innate empathy kids have for all living things.
“The children in the film are inspirational to kids watching it, in that they can lead with kindness and empathy in contrast to the adults around them.”
Speaking of the satirical elements of the movie, she added: “There are environmental parallels, political parallels, behavioural parallels of adults vs children, all of which reflect the world we live in.”
In 2021 Netflix bought the rights to Dahl’s entire catalogue of children’s books in a landmark deal.
The streaming giant’s acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) has allowed it to create a “unique universe” with the author’s classic characters.
Dahl, who died in 1990 at the age of 74, published The Twits in 1980 and is known for creating characters including the BFG and Matilda.
The writer, who regularly topped the list of the nation’s favourite authors, was a controversial figure due to antisemitic comments made throughout his life.
The Dahl family and The Roald Dahl Story Company said in 2020 that they “deeply apologise” for the “lasting and understandable hurt” caused by his “antisemitic statements”.
One of his most famous books, The Twits, follows Mr and Mrs Twit, a couple who exhibit grotesque behaviours and play cruel pranks on one another.
In the new Netflix film, Mr Twit is voiced by British comedian Johnny Vegas, and Mrs Twit is voiced by US actress Margo Martindale.
Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, Nobody Wants This actor Timothy Simons and comedian Jason Mantzoukas are among the other stars.
Original songs have been written by former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and Paramore singer Hayley Williams.
The Twits arrives to Netflix on Friday.
