Disney has greenlit an animated Artemis Fowl series, author Eoin Colfer announced at New York Comic Con.
The author made the announcement during a panel titled 25 Years of Artemis Fowl. The series is planned for Disney Channel and Disney+.
The series returns Artemis Fowl to the screen
Disney describes the project as an action-adventure fantasy series. It follows Artemis Fowl, a 13-year-old genius who finds an underground society of heavily armed and technologically advanced fairies.
Artemis plans to seize one of the fairies and take its magic. He wants to use that power to treat his dying mother and protect his family.
The first Artemis Fowl novel appeared in 2001. The books have since sold more than 35 million copies worldwide and reached readers through translations into 48 languages.
The franchise is marking the 25th anniversary of that first book this year, giving the New York Comic Con announcement a place within the series' anniversary programme.
Colfer will executive-produce the adaptation
Colfer is attached as an executive producer. Ben Juwono and Colleen Evanson will also executive-produce the animated series.
Juwono's credits include Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and Big Hero 6: The Series. Evanson's credits include DuckTales, Monsters at Work and Prep and Landing: The Snowball Protocol.
Ayo Davis, President, Disney Kids & Family, said the project would let Disney present Artemis' world to a new generation while respecting the people who have followed the books for years.
Colfer said his creative work on the series would focus on going further into the book characters and their lore.
The franchise has already had other adaptations
The announcement adds an animated production to the franchise's publication and adaptation history.
- 2001First novel The first Artemis Fowl book was published.
- 2020Live-action film Disney+ debuted a live-action feature based on the books.
- Last yearStage musical A London stage musical based on the books was announced as being in development.
- This year25th anniversary The franchise is celebrating 25 years since the first book.
- New York Comic ConAnimated series Colfer announced Disney's greenlight for the television adaptation.
Disney previously released a live-action film based on the books on Disney+ in 2020. A London stage musical was also announced as being in development last year.
The animated project will join Disney+'s animation slate, alongside Dragon Striker, Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens, and the upcoming Messi and the Giants, Kingdom Hearts, Warrior Cats and Journey.
