From Sketch to Screen: Fantastic Mr Fox Through the Years

The first illustrations of Mr Fox and his family came from none other than Roald himself. Mr Fox – the “fantastic” came later – was originally written as a simple storybook to read aloud to very young children. Roald had not attempted a book like this before, so once his first draft had been typed, he cut up the pages and pasted snippets of text into blank sketchbooks. He then drew his own sketches around the text, imagining how the finished book might look.

Even in these early drafts, it was clear that Roald wanted to humanise the foxes. We can see this in the way they dig towards the local town and up into the shops, helping themselves to whatever takes their fancy. In one wonderful sketch, the little foxes are shown pushing supermarket trolleys as they set off in search of “ham, pies and cake”.

Charming as the drawings were, Roald’s publishers were a little cautious about the story. After all, a story about foxes stealing wouldn’t necessarily go down too well with parents or librarians! Luckily, the early manuscript found its way to a creative young editor called Fabio Coen, who came up with a genius idea to redirect the story. Coen suggested that instead of stealing from the supermarket, the foxes should steal from the farmyards of the wicked farmers tormenting them. Roald loved the idea so much that he joked it felt like “committing plagiarism” and quickly set about rewriting the book. Around the same time, he also agreed to a final title change, from The Fantastic Fox to Fantastic Mr Fox – the title we know and love today.

The finished version of the book was published in the autumn of 1970, with drawings by illustrator Donald Chaffin. Chaffin perfectly captured the essence of the story, and it quickly became a bestseller. Looking at his illustrations, it’s possible to see how Roald’s sketches might have been an influence.

Fast forward some 30 years to 2004, when – with the permission of Roald Dahl’s widow, Liccy – Wes Anderson began working on a screenplay for Fantastic Mr. Fox. Curious to see how Anderson would translate the story to the screen and apply his distinctive style, Liccy wanted to hear his “thoughts and conceptual ideas” before approving the project. She was “in love with his work,” but wanted to understand how his vision would translate into stop-motion animation. Given the success that followed, it’s easy to forget that Fantastic Mr. Fox was Anderson’s first real foray into animation.

Whilst he was working on the screenplay, Liccy invited Wes to stay with the Dahl family in Great Missenden, where the Museum is based. Wes did an incredible job of capturing the world Roald was working in, including some subtle nods to the authors own story – a number of which are on display in the Museum.

This ‘hairy hut’ was in the gardens of Roald Dahl’s home and was photographed by Wes when he stayed there. His team then recreated it perfectly, including it in the opening scene at Berk’s Squab Farm. This original model is on display this summer at the Museum.

Throughout the film, Wes leans into the autobiographical nature of Mr Fox. This is perfectly captured in the way he portrays him, hidden away in his office and devising great plans. Mr Fox’s office in the film is largely based on Roald’s very own office – the Writing Hut. The centrepiece of our Museum, Roald’s Writing Hut was where he wrote all his most famous children’s books. Wes did an incredible job of replicating this environment – even choosing to make miniature versions of Roald’s Toby jug, pencil sharpener and armchair. It’s wonderful to be able to present Wes’ original set of Mr Fox’s office alongside Roald’s Writing Hut. Come along to the Museum this summer and see if you can spot all the similarities!

The final easter egg Wes included was a wonderful nod to Roald’s original story we mentioned earlier. The closing scene with the Foxes in the supermarket was inspired by Roald’s very own original sketch, which portrayed them stealing from their local shop. A wonderful way to end a fitting tribute to one of Roald’s greatest stories!

If you’re a big Wes Anderson fan, be sure to check out our Fantastic Family Animation Day, where you’ll get to make your very own stop-motion animation! As well as this, we’ve got a whole summer packed full of phizz-whizzing activities – from crafty clay to awesome archive tours. So join us for a Fantastic Foxy Summer! You can see what’s on here.