Some cinematic properties are lost in production-limbo for ages, and yet, when the films are finally released, the timing could not have worked better for them. The creator and author of “Artemis Fowl,” Eoin Coffer, has jokingly stated that the film would be finished two years after his death. Luckily, he didn’t have to wait that long.
But while the film took almost twenty years to make; those twenty years were very kind to the project. Disney was able to secure the rights, the studio was able to distance itself from Harvey Weinstein, and there was a change in director from Lawrence Guterman to the legendary Sir Kenneth Branagh. Finally, because of a delay due to the Disney/Fox merger, and with recent complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the film will hit Disney+ on June 12, in what is perhaps the perfect platform for this movie.
“Artemis Fowl” stars Ferdia Shaw (grandson of the great Robert Shaw) as the title character, Lara McDonnell, Nonso Anozie, Colin Farrell, and returning to work with Branagh after “Murder on the Orient Express,” Josh Gad and Judy Dench. It follows the story of a wunderkind, a self-proclaimed child-criminal genius who must breach the barrier between the world of man, and the world of Irish mythology to save his father from magical peril.
Perhaps “Artemis Fowl” being an adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s beloved fantasy novels is precisely why Branagh is a great choice to direct. He is no stranger to literary classics turned cinematic, and not simply because of the myriad of Shakespearean adaptations. The filmmaker has “Frankenstein,” “Cinderella,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and even more contemporary literature like “Thor” that help comprise his filmography. It’s apparent that Branagh has a deep love for literature of all kinds and it’s what helps fuel his adaptations.
LISTEN: Morten Tyldum Discusses ‘Defending Jacob’ & Working With Chris Evans [Fourth Wall Podcast]
“I came from a working-class Irish background, where I didn’t grow up surrounded by books,” said Branagh. “My parents weren’t literary in that way, they were perfectly smart, but they read newspapers and so books were something I started to acquire. I felt very impassioned to share that [books] were available to everybody.”
What’s even more distinct about Branagh’s adaptations is how he strikes a balance between traditional folklore (“Thor,” “Artemis Fowl”) and the contemporary. “Artemis Fowl,” specifically, thrives on introducing this fabled world all while making it more accessible and relevant to its target demographic. However, audiences of all ages will be able to find something in this adventure they’ll enjoy, and it will undoubtedly speak to children everywhere, even if they have never read a single page of the novels.
Branagh says, “We read to know we’re not alone, and these myths let us know we’re not alone. And once we know that, these [characters] are our companions, they’ll take us through these stories and we may learn something, and there may even be something cathartic about the process”
During our conversation with Kenneth Branagh, we not only discussed his love of literature and adaptations but his collaborations with Christopher Nolan and Kevin Feige, how he fostered a welcoming set for “Artemis Fowl’s” child actors Ferdia Shaw and Lara McDonnell, how he selects which of his directed projects to star in, what we can expect from his upcoming “Death on the Nile” and much more.
As always, The Fourth Wall is part of The Playlist Podcast Network—which includes The Discourse, Be Reel, and more –and can be heard on iTunes, AnchorFM, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and now on Spotify. To listen on this page, you can stream the podcast via the AnchorFM embed below or up top. Follow us on iTunes, and you’ll get this podcast as well as our other shows regularly. Be sure to subscribe, and drop us a comment or a rating as we do appreciate it.
