Kenneth Branagh To Direct YA Adaptation 'Artemis Fowl'

I guess it's time to stop being surprised that Kenneth Branagh has gone from Shakespeare to blockbusters. I'm sure one pays much better than the other. His last three films have seen him comfortably embrace large scale filmmaker, rolling with Marvel on "Thor," trying (and failing) to reboot the titular character in "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," and this spring he released "Cinderella." So what's next on his plate? A YA adaptation, naturally.

Variety reports that Branagh will helm "Artemis Fowl." Based on the series by Eoin Colfer (franchise!) the story follows the fantastical adventures of a twelve-year old criminal mastermind. Here's the synopsis of the first book to give you an idea of what it's all about: 

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. With two trusty sidekicks in tow, he hatches a cunning plot to divest the fairyfolk of their pot of gold. Of course, he isn't foolish enough to believe...