Award winning Irish author Eoin Colfer has said he would like Saoirse Ronan to play one of the lead roles in 'Artemis Fowl', after Disney announced it plans to make a movie based on his popular book collection.

Colfer’s series of eight books focuses on a teenage criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl.

The movie will be based on the first and second instalments of Colfer's eight-novel saga for young adults, which have sold over 21 million copies in 44 different countries.

The production team will include Robert De Niro and brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein.

"They are serious guys, and even their names involved in something can give it weight and a gravitas," said Colfer.

The Wexford author told the Irish Independent he would like to showcase homegrown talent in the movie adaption of first two books in the series.

That would be the dream, to have it made in Ireland, with Irish actors in it,"Colfer told the newspaper.
"Saoirse Ronan would be the dream cast for Holly (one of the main characters)."

On Tuesday, Colfer, who is currently on vacation with his family in France, learned this week that Disney have secured rights to make his book collection into a movie.

"It was out of the blue. I got a few emails yesterday, then one to say they were making the announcement," said Colfer.