Passengers from Branagh’s Orient Express are joining Artemis Fowl including Josh Gad and Judi Dench.
Given Disney’s status in the movie industry these days, there seems to be new project news coming out of the House Of Mouse every day. In their new announcement, they have announced the search is over for Artemis Fowl. Irish- born Ferida Shaw will be the protagonist of the film set for an August 9th, 2019 release date. Joining him in the Kenneth Branagh directed picture will be Orient Express co-stars Josh Gad and Judi Dench.
According to Deadline, they looked at over 1200 performers for the role of Artemis Fowl. Artemis Fowl is based on the novels by Irish author Eoin Colfer and features Artemis as a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind. He finds himself in a battle again a hidden race of fairies that might be responsible for his father’s disappearance. The science-fiction fantasy novels spanned eight volumes and generated a positive critical reaction and huge sales. Harvey Weinstein had previously optioned the books for a feature film in 2000, which would’ve reunited with Miramax parent company, Disney. Since the scandal broke, he has been removed as a producer on the project and replaced by Branagh and Judy Hofflund.
Josh Gad will join the project as Mulch Diggums, a kleptomaniacal dwarf who works for the fairies and himself. Judi Dench will play the role of Commander Root, the steely leader of the fairy police force. They are joined by Lara McDonnell and Nonso Anozie, who take on the roles of Captain Holly Short and Butler respectively. Production on Artemis Fowl begins early next year in the U.K. After the success of Cinderella, Disney must feel they can trust Kenneth Branagh with this potential franchise picture. If successful, this would be the first in a long line of Artemis Fowl movies.
Related Topics: Artemis Fowl, Disney, Kenneth Branagh
