An Artemis Fowl movie has been in development for nearly as long as the book series has existed, but it's only been since Disney secured the film rights to the fantasy series that it's made significant progress. It was announced back in September of 2015 that Kenneth Branagh will direct the Artemis Fowl movie, and over two years later, we've finally learned who will populate the main cast. By far the biggest names this production has secured are Josh Gad and Judi Dench, who recently appeared together in Murder on the Orient Express.
Hitting many of the same beats as the original Artemis Fowl book, the movie will follow the eponymous protagonist, a 12-year-old genius, caught up in a battle of strength and cunning against a powerful and hidden race of fairies who may be behind his father's disappearance. Judi Dench has been cast as Commander Root, the commander of the fairy police force known as LEPrecon, while Josh Gad will play Mulch Diggums, a kleptomaniac dwarf who works for the fairies, but mainly looks out for himself. Gad is no stranger to starring in family-friendly movies, previously lending his talents to Frozen, Beauty and the Beast and The Angry Birds Movie. Judi Dench has primarily stuck with content geared towards adult, though she did appear in last year's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
But these wasn't the only piece of casting information to come out today. Disney also announced that the role of Artemis Fowl will be played newcomer Ferida Shaw, with the Artemis Fowl movie marking his onscreen debut. He'll be joined by Lara McDonnell, who will play Captain Holly Short, one of LEPrecons top officers who Artemis kidnapped in the book. McDonnell's previous credits include The Delinquent Season, The Walk Invisible and Love, Rosie.
Finally, Nonso Anozie has been cast as Butler, Artemis Fowl's bodyguard. Anozie's big screen credits include Ender's Game, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Cinderella and Pan, while TV viewers might know him better for recurring as Xaro Xhoan Daxos on Game of Thrones, or as one of the leads on Dracula and Zoo. You can be sure that there will be more Artemis Fowl casting announcements coming soon (such as who will be tapped to play Foaly and Julius Root), but for now, this is an interesting lineup of actors.
Based off both the first book and the follow-up, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, the Artemis Fowl movie will be released in theaters on August 9, 2019. To find out what movies will be released in theaters sooner, consult with our 2018 premiere guide.
