Nicolai Haugsted
Six years after one of Disney’s most criticized films, the popular book series gets another chance.
If at first you don’t succeed.
Disney is reviving Artemis Fowl. This time as an animated series for both Disney Channel and Disney+, author Eoin Colfer revealed last Sunday at New York Comic-Con, where the 25th anniversary of the first book was celebrated during the “25 Years of Artemis Fowl” panel.
The series has just been greenlit, Disney announced in a press release dated October 11, 2026.
The story remains the same as readers know from the books: 13-year-old criminal genius Artemis Fowl discovers an underground world of high-tech fairies and devises a plan to kidnap one of them and steal her magic to save his dying mother. The book series has sold more than 35 million copies in 48 languages since the first book was released in 2001.
Colfer himself is on board as executive producer alongside Ben Juwono, who has an Emmy and an Annie Award for his work on “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” and Colleen Evanson, who previously wrote for “DuckTales” and “Monsters At Work,” Dark Horizons reports.
The Contrast to the 2020 Flop Is Palpable
The decision to relaunch Artemis Fowl in animated form is unusual because the previous Disney venture became one of the studio’s most critically panned projects ever. Kenneth Branagh’s 2020 live-action film reportedly cost $125 million, premiered directly on Disney+ on July 8, 2020, and currently holds a Tomatometer score of 8 percent out of 178 reviews. The audience score is 19 percent.
That film version was criticized for deviating from the books, including rewriting Artemis from a cool anti-hero to a more conventional children’s hero. Fans have since called for an adaptation that dares to preserve what made the books popular. An animated series with Colfer himself at the helm points in that direction.
Author Endorses the Team
Colfer himself seems pleased with the decision. “I am proud and happy to be part of the formidable team that will bring the series to the screen. Everyone is so talented and so positive that I am sure the fairy world is in very good hands,” the author states in Disney’s press release.
Ayo Davis, President of Disney Kids & Family, calls the project an opportunity to “introduce a new generation to Artemis’ world while honoring the loyal fans who have followed the books for more than two decades.”
Disney has not yet announced a premiere date, voice cast, or episode count. When the series lands, it will be on Disney+.
