Here's some good news for Artemis Fowl fans who've been ever patient about the development of the Disney film adaptation.

Variety reported that the movie is going to be helmed by the inimitable Kenneth Branagh, who recently signed on for it. The adaptation for the YA novel penned by Irish author Eoin Colfer will most likely be scripted for the silver screen by Irish playwright Conor McPherson. According to the report, McPherson is currently in talks and things haven't been made official with him yet.

With Branagh's name attached to the project it is sure to gain mileage. Perhaps this also has to do with Branagh's latest film with Disney, Cinderella, which released earlier this year to quite some acclaim.

Fowl could also go on to become the next Hunger Games in the world of YA cinema.

Branagh is currently directing a remake of Murder at the Orient Express for Fox.

The eponymous protagonist of Artemis Fowl is a 12-year-old who is the son of a crime lord. His discovery of fairies and plot to get to their gold is fraught with threats from mortals. Colfer wrote eight books in the Artemis Fowl series, so if this one takes off it's going to be for the long run.

Colfer also responded to the news via a YouTube video he posted on Sept. 2. The author was excited about Branagh and McPherson's Irish heritage stating that this was "a double whammy of Irish talent" and that the project "couldn't be in better hands."

"If this finally goes ahead it will have been worth the wait," Colfer added.

Here's Colfer's reaction to the novel's being picked up for a film adaptation:

Tags: Artemis Fowl Kenneth Branagh Movies