Disney+ has announced that the long-awaited film of Irish author Eoin Colfer's best-selling novel Artemis Fowl will premiere on the streaming service from Friday, June 12.
The Kenneth Branagh-directed fantasy adventure stars Irish youngster Ferdia Shaw as the titular criminal mastermind, alongside fellow Irish actors Colin Farrell and Lara McDonnell.
Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Tamara Smart, Nonso Anozie, Josh McGuire, Nikesh Patel and Adrian Scarborough are also in the cast.
Branagh said: "Artemis Fowl is a true original. In challenging times, a 12-year-old criminal mastermind is one heck of a travelling companion.
"Smart, funny, and cool as mustard, he'll take you to new worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and mix magic with mayhem.
"His own family is everything to him, and (although he'd never admit it), he'd be as proud as I am that families around the world will now be able to enjoy his first amazing screen adventures together, on Disney +."
Speaking to The Ray D’Arcy Show earlier in April, Wexford man Colfer said that he had been "pushing" for the film adaptation to premiere on Disney+ during the Covid-19 emergency.
Artemis Fowl had been due to open in cinemas on May 29, but release schedules were all affected because of Covid-19.
"I don't think they decided to do it [release on Disney+] because I asked for it," Colfer told D'Arcy.
"The only way people are going to get to see it - certainly this year and possibly next year - would be on Disney+, because everything is being pushed back with the coronavirus at least a year."
The Wexford writer said the film is being treated as "a test case, and if it goes well it's going to happen more".
"As for a sequel, I've only sold Disney the first book, so if they want to do more they'd have to come back to me... That would be great if that would happen."
