After several years in development hell, 'Artemis Fowl' will finally make his big-screen debut with the help of 'Cinderella' director Kenneth Branagh!
According to The Tracking Board, Walt Disney Pictures and The Weinstein Company have decided to push through with the film adaptation of Eoin Colfer's sci-fi fantasy novel and have secured Kenneth Branagh to helm the movie.
But why did it take so long to green-light such a promising project, considering that the book received a Young Reader's Choice Award as well as positive critical response?
The film rights for the 'Artemis Fowl' movie were originally purchased by Miramax Films in 2001 and the movie was to be directed by Lawrence Guterman. However, the film remained in development hell until 2011, when director Jim Sheridan expressed an interest in working on the project. By 2013, the film was picked up by Walt Disney Pictures and the Weinstein Company but had to wait for the right time to finally start working on the movie.
Kenneth Branagh to direct the long-awaited #ArtemisFowl movie! https://t.co/zb1sZpA5Hz pic.twitter.com/QsVcVIVXEx
— Hypable (@Hypable) September 2, 2015
'Artemis Fowl' follows the story of a 12-year-old child prodigy who also happens to be the son of an Irish crime lord. Artemis Fowl II discovers that fairies do exist and hatches a plan to make use of them. He and his bodyguard Butler kidnap a fairy named Holly Short and ask for a large ransom of gold.
The novel was well-received and eventually became the first part of the 'Artemis Fowl' series, which consists of eight books. There are speculations that the film adaptation will cover the events in the first book and in 'Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident.'
Kenneth Branagh is currently one of the most sought-after directors following the success of his romantic fantasy film 'Cinderella.' He is currently in talks to direct the remake of 'Murder on the Orient Express' as well as the Anthony Hopkins drama 'Italian Shoes.'
