Bestselling fantasy novels confirmed to be adapted into series as Disney+ unveils first-look image

Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl young adult novels are set to be adapted into an animated TV series by Disney, it has been announced.

Colfer has written eleven fantasy novels about Artemis Fowl and his family, beginning with 2001's Artemis Fowl, which introduced readers to the 12-year-old prodigy who has dedicated his life to criminal activities. In the first novel, Artemis and his butler kidnap an elf named Holly Short, holding her for ransom to exploit the magical Fairy people and restore the Fowl family's lost fortune.

The new series sounds like it will keep reasonably close to the material of the first book, as, according to Disney, it will follow Artemis as he "uncovers an underground world of armed and dangerous — and surprisingly high-tech — fairies as he launches a plan to capture one and steal its magic to heal his dying mum and save his family."

Colfer announced the new series at a '25 Years of Artemis Fowl' panel at New York Comic Con.

"I am proud and delighted to be part of the formidable team that is putting the ‘Artemis Fowl’ animation on screen. Everyone is so talented and so positive that I feel certain the fairy world is in excellent hands," he said at the event, as reported by Variety.

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said: "For more than two decades, Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl books have captivated readers around the world with unforgettable characters, imaginative world-building, and gripping adventures. Bringing this beloved franchise to life as an animated series gives us the opportunity to introduce a new generation to Artemis’ world while honouring the longtime fans who have cherished these stories for years."

It's not the first adaptation of his books – Kenneth Branagh directed a film adaptation of Artemis Fowl that was originally meant to be released in cinemas in 2019. It was then delayed until May 2020, and due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the theatrical release was cancelled and it was made available to stream on Disney+ instead.

The movie starred Ferdia Shaw as Artemis, alongside Lara McDonnell as Holly Short, Josh Gad as Mulch Diggums, Colin Farrell as Artemis's father and Judi Dench as 802-year-old Commander Julius Root.

Unfortunately, it was not well received, earning just an 8% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes amid a whole host of disappointing reviews.

Artemis Fowl: The Animated Series is coming soon to Disney.

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