Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl is an upcoming 2020 American science fantasy adventure film based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Eoin Colfer and directed by Kenneth Branagh from a screenplay co-written by Conor McPherson and Hamish McColl.

The film stars Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Josh Gad, Tamara Smart, Nonso Anozie, Colin Farrell, and Judi Dench. The film details the adventures of Artemis Fowl II, a 12-year-old Irish prodigy who teams up with his faithful servant, a dwarf and a fairy in order to rescue his father, Artemis Fowl I, who has been kidnapped by a gang of fairies looking to reclaim an item the Fowl family has stolen.

Artemis Fowl is set to be released on Disney+ on June 12, 2020.

Premise
Artemis Fowl is a 12-year-old genius and a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds. He searches for his father, who has mysteriously disappeared, and comes into conflict with the hidden world of the fairies.

Development
In 2001, plans were announced for a film adaptation of the series. Miramax Films was named as purchasing the film rights with Lawrence Guterman signed to direct and Jeff Stockwell to write. In 2003, Colfer stated that a screenplay had been finalized and that casting was due to start the same year but expressed skepticism over whether or not this would come to pass. The film remained in development and was assumed to be in development hell until 2011, when it was reported that Jim Sheridan was interested in directing the movie.

In July 2013, Walt Disney Pictures announced that an Artemis Fowl film covering the events of the first and second novels of the series would be produced by Disney and The Weinstein Company, with the screenplay by Michael Goldenberg. Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal signed onto the project as executive producers.

On September 1, 2015, Variety reported that Kenneth Branagh had been hired to direct the film for Disney, with Irish playwright Conor McPherson as screenwriter and Judy Hofflund as an executive producer. On September 12, 2017, Disney announced that the film adaptation would be released on August 9, 2019. The following month, Disney removed Harvey Weinstein as the producer of the film and terminated its production partnership with The Weinstein Company following a sexual misconduct scandal involving Weinstein.

Colfer supports the changes from the source material in the film.

Casting
On September 18, 2017, it was reported that Judi Dench was in talks for an unspecified role. On December 20, 2017, it was announced that Irish newcomer and grandson of Robert Shaw, Ferdia Shaw, had been cast as Artemis Fowl II, alongside Dench as Commander Root, Josh Gad as Mulch Diggums, Lara McDonnell as Captain Holly Short, and Nonso Anozie as Butler. Colin Farrell was revealed as part of the cast as Artemis Fowl I via reshoots through the release of the second trailer in March 2020.

Author Eoin Colfer will appear as an extra. Describing his one scene, filmed in Northern Ireland, Colfer said: "I walked across a field with a lot of other people. It wasn’t too taxing – although I did manage to get it wrong a few times. The only direction they gave was: 'Walk across the field and don’t look at the camera.' I must have looked at the camera about 20 times. I have a new respect for actors."

Filming
On March 12, 2018, the rest of the cast was announced (including Nikesh Patel as Foaly) as principal production commenced. The film was shot at Longcross Studios, and in England, Northern Ireland and Ho Chi Minh City.

Release
The film was originally scheduled for a theatrical release on August 9, 2019 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, but on May 7, 2019, the film was delayed to May 29, 2020. On April 3, 2020, the film's theatrical release was cancelled, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and instead, it will be digitally released on Disney+ on June 12, 2020.