Newcomers will enjoy the film while fans of the book series may be troubled.
While most of us were hoping that the next movie trailer Disney was going to release was related to Avengers 4, Disney did surprise quite a few people with it’s first teaser trailer for Artemis Fowl. Clocking in at roughly a minute and in a half, the trailer leaves those who haven’t read the Artemis Fowl in wonder while those of us who have read the books are cautiously optimistic about it. You can watch the trailer below.
Artemis Fowl centers around a 12-year old boy by the name of, you guessed it, Artemis Fowl. A genius by any definition, Artemis matches Sherlock Holmes in personality and wit, but the similarities end there as Artemis is obsessed with finding his father who has been legally declared dead for over a year. Whilst pursuing every avenue possible to help him find his father, Artemis unknowingly stumbles upon the magic world of faeries and being the criminal mastermind that he is, decides to steal from them.
Before Disney officially bought the rights to Eoin Colfer’s work, the series spent time being shuffled between studios and screenwriters since 2001 before finding a home. With such a large fan base and a story set in world where magic and science mix, it’s no surprise it took almost two decades for the film to be produced. That said, the movie is in the hands director Kenneth Branagh (Thor, Cinderella, Murder on the Orient Express) who is reportedly taking a grounded approach to the series and has shaken things up.
Fortunately, the film will only center around the events of the first book as there are a total of 8 (some might argue 10) books in total. Disney seems to be taking the series seriously as over 1,500 young actors auditioned for the part before Ferdia Shaw landed the lead role. Joining him are actors Josh Gad (Frozen, Beauty and the Beast) as the dwarf Mulch Diggums and Judi Dench (Skyfall, Casino Royale) as Commander Root, and Irish actress Lara McDonnell (Love Rosie) will be playing the role of Captain Holly Short.
If Disney plays its cards right, the entertainment giant could have a whole new cinematic universe in their hands that would span 8 movies. Fingers crossed.
Artemis Fowl opens in theaters August 9, 2019.
