Theme Park Scope

Okay, I did not have “Artemis Fowl animated series” on my bingo card for this Monday, but here we are.

Disney has officially greenlit Artemis Fowl as an animated TV series for Disney Channel and Disney+, and the news dropped on Oct. 12 at the “25 Years of Artemis Fowl” panel at New York Comic Con.

I’m going to be honest, my reaction was a mix of “wait, really?” and “oh, that actually makes sense.” Let me walk you through why.

First, what’s the show about? Disney describes it as following 13-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, who discovers an underground world of armed, high-tech fairies. His plan is to capture one and use its magic to heal his dying mother and save his family. If you’ve read the books, you know that is a very Artemis thing to do. He’s a kid with a plan, a lot of confidence, and a moral compass that is, let’s say, still under construction.

Now for the folks making it. Eoin Colfer, the author of the book series, is an executive producer, which is a really encouraging sign. Ben Juwono, an Emmy and Annie Award winner, and Colleen Evanson are also executive producers. Having the author involved matters, because fans of these books care a lot about getting the tone right, that mix of sharp humor, technology, and old-world fairy folk.

Ayo Davis, President of Disney Kids & Family, said the series is a way to introduce the franchise to a new generation, and Colfer said he’s proud and delighted to be part of the team animating it. And honestly, “a new generation” is the part that stands out to me, because the book series has been around for a while. The first book came out in 2001, and the series has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide and been translated into 48 languages. That’s a massive built-in audience, and a lot of those readers are now adults who might be looking for something to share with their own kids.

What we don’t know yet is a lot. Disney hasn’t announced a premiere date or release window, a voice cast, an episode count, or a time slot. So if you’re hoping to mark a calendar, you’ll have to hold on for now. I’ll share the details as soon as I see them.

It’s also worth remembering that this isn’t the first time Artemis Fowl has made the jump to the screen. A live-action film came out in 2020 and went straight to Disney+, and it’s fair to say it didn’t land the way a lot of book fans were hoping. I don’t say that to be negative. I say it because it makes this announcement more interesting. Animation gives the story room to breathe, with its fairy technology, underground cities, and big action, and with the author involved this time, I think there’s real potential for a fresh start.

The series also joins a growing slate of animated shows on Disney+, including Dragon Striker, Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens, Messi and the Giants, Kingdom Hearts, Warrior Cats, and Journey. That’s a pretty wide mix of tones, which tells me Disney is leaning into animation for bigger, more story-driven projects, not just comedies.

Here’s where I land. I’m cautiously excited. I love when a franchise gets a second chance, especially when the person who created it is sitting right at the table. Artemis Fowl is such a good fit for animation, and a kid-genius protagonist who is probably a little too clever for his own good is exactly the kind of character that can shine in a series.

My one hope is that they keep the edge. Part of what makes Artemis interesting is that he isn’t a typical hero. He’s scheming, he’s flawed, and he’s doing something questionable for a deeply human reason. If the series can keep that spark while still being right for the Disney Channel audience, I think it has a real shot. And if they get the humor right, I’ll be the one in the front row. (Metaphorically. I’ll be on my couch.)

So tell me, did you read the books growing up, or is this a brand new world for you? Let me know what you’re hoping to see, and keep checking back with Theme Park Scope, because I’ll share every update on this one as soon as there’s something new to report.