Thor and Cinderella director Kenneth Branagh will develop and direct an Artemis Fowl movie

Announced for development through Walt Disney Studios and The Weinstein Company back in 2013, plans for an Artemis Fowl movie appear to be moving forward. The Tracking Board today reports that Thor and Cinderella helmer Kenneth Branagh has signed on to develop and direct a big screen adaptation of the hit book series by Eoin Colfer.

Artemis Fowl is about a 12-year-old Artemis who is a millionaire, a genius – and above all, a criminal mastermind. But Artemis doesnt know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy (Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit) to harness her magic to save his family.

The screenplay for the Artemis Fowl movie was originally being written by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix scribe Michael Goldenberg. Today’s update (via Variety) suggests that talks have begun with Irish playwright Conor McPherson to script. Although it is uncertain whether or not the plan remains the same, the 2013 announcement claimed that the live-action Artemis Fowl movie will be based on the first and second installments in the best-selling children’s fiction series, Artemis Fowl and Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident.

Branagh, whose Cinderella earned more than $542 million worldwide, is next slated to direct a big screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. He’s also set to produce the Artemis Fowl movie alongside Harvey Weinstein.

“This is a special project for me because my children absolutely love this book,” Weinstein said back in 2013. “This story is for everyone and there is no one better than Disney to make a film that will excite people young and old.”

Judy Hofflund will executive produce the Artemis Fowl movie with Tendo Nagenda and Jessica Virtue overseeing for TWC and Disney, respectively.

Are you excited for an Artemis Fowl movie? Share your top casting choices in the comments below!