Taika Waititi and Hollywood stars join for Roald Dahl classic in the fight against Covid-19

Academy Award-winning New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi has teamed up with the Roald Dahl Story Company for a special YouTube story-telling initiative. Photo / AP

A classic children's story is being brought to life in a new way with the help of Academy Award-winning Kiwi filmmaker Taika Waititi and some Hollywood celebrity power.

The Roald Dahl Story Company has teamed up with Waititi and a host of celebrities to retell the children's classic story: James And The Giant Peach, by beloved children's author Dahl.

Celebrities including Ryan Reynolds, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong'o, Liam Hemsworth, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling and Cara Delevingne will all lend their voices to the characters of the novel; which will be retold in full in 10 episodes on YouTube.

The initiative is to help raised funds for those working on the front line in the fight against coronavirus.

Actor Liam Hemsworth is also lending his voice in the initiative. Photo / 20th Century Fox

Up to $1 million of donations will be matched by The Roald Dahl Story Company and other donors are expected to match donations after that.

Funds raised will go to Partners In Health - a medical and social justice organisation fighting the worldwide pandemic - and supporting public health systems in vulnerable communities around the world.

The first two episodes went live overnight.

New episodes will be posted every Monday, Wednesday an Friday and those tuning in will get to see participating celebrities reading from their respective homes, while under lockdown.

Actor Ryan Reynolds is among celebrities taking part in the initiative. Photo / Supplied

Waititi said he was excited to partner up with those involved to retell the children's favourite as he was very much an "adult child myself".

OY! I'm hosting a reading series of James and the Giant Peach by @roald_dahl to raise money for @partnersinhealth, a global health non-profit fighting COVID-19. I'm also joined by a few mates along the way. Go to https://t.co/4LTfNltYEn for the 1st two episodes. #taikaandfriends pic.twitter.com/VGq7DnCYvM

— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) May 18, 2020

"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."

Check it out: James And The Giant Peach with Taika and Friends