Kenneth Branagh is teaming with Disney to bring another potential franchise film to the studio.
Branagh is slated to direct the film adaptation of the first book of the Artemis Fowl series from Eoin Colfer. The series is about 12 year old Artemis Fowl, an anti-hero and head of the Fowl criminal empire. The prodigy uses his skills and brains to determine the existence of fairies and kidnaps one to hold for ransom and force the fairies to rebuild the Fowl family fortune. Unfortunately, the forces of the fairy world have another plan in mind and will use whatever means at their disposal to stop Artemis from completing his plan.
Production on the film is slated to begin next year and Disney has already announced the cast of the film. 12 year old acrtor Ferdia Shaw will make his screen debut in the lead role. Shaw was chosen by Branagh from over 1200 candidates. Joining Shaw will be Josh Gad (Beauty and the Beast) in the role of Mulch, a kleptomaniac dwarf who is working for the fairies, but mostly for himself. Academy Award winner Dame Judi Dench (Murder on the Orient Express) will take on the role of fairy police commander Root, tasked with stopping Artemis and his scheme.
Lara Mcdonnell (Love, Rosie) has been cast as elf hero Holly Short and Nonso Anozie (Game of Thrones) has been cast as Artemis’ personal bodyguard Butler.
Artemis Fowl is scheduled to be released in theaters August 9, 2019.