Northern Irish helmer Kenneth Branagh has signed on to develop and direct Disney’s adaptation of Irish author Eoin Colfer’s best-selling novel ‘Artemis Fowl’.
‘Artemis Fowl’ - described by Colfer as ‘Die Hard with fairies’ - follows 12 year old criminal mastermind Artemis as he battles Captain Holly Short and the fairies of the LEPrecon Unit.
Irish playwright, script-writer and director Conor McPherson is currently in talks to script the adaptation, according to Variety. McPherson has previously written and directed films such as ‘The Actors’ and ‘Eclipse’ winning an IFTA Award for his work on the latter.
Harvey Weinstein and Branagh are attached to produce the picture. Branagh – who has previously been nominated for five Oscars – has recently directed big-budget Hollywood pictures ‘Thor’ and ‘Cinderella’ (which made over $542m worldwide last year when released) and garnered a nomination for directing ‘Henry V’ in 1990.
Author Eoin Colfer recently made his feature film screenwriting debut with Filmbase’s romantic comedy ‘Poison Pen’ starring Aoibhinn McGinnity and Lochlann O'Mearáin.
