Walt Disney Studios have announced that in partnership with Harvey Weinstein they will making a film adaptation of Artemis Fowl.Based on the first and second books of the Eoin Colfer series, it centres around a 12 year old millionaire genius, who also happens to be a criminal mastermind.
“With its balance of mystery, adventure and family appeal, Artemis Fowl is a natural fit for Disney,” said Sean Bailey, President, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with Harvey on this exciting project.”
The screenplay will be written by Michael Goldenberg, who worked on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal will executive produce.
“If you would have told me five years ago I would be producing a project with Disney I would have thought you were crazy,” said Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Co. “I feel as though everything is coming full circle considering Bob De Niro and Jane Rosenthal brought me this book while I was still at Miramax and within hours I told them I wanted the rights to the film.”
“It is also exciting to partner with friends Alan Bergman, Sean Bailey and of course Bob Iger who has been incredibly generous to me over the years,” Weinstein said. “This is a special project for me because my children absolutely love this book. This story is for everyone and there is no one better than Disney to make a film that will excite people young and old.”
The Artemis Fowl books have sold more than 21 million copies in print in 44 languages worldwide.