Disney’s upcoming live-action thriller ‘Artemis Fowl‘ is creeping closer to release and the latest promotional still from the film has Judi Dench showing off as Commander Root. I do have to say that after you see this shot, I suspect you’ll first giggle and quickly realize that Dench needs to find a film or television show with elves and rock the ear implants for the foreseeable future!
However, it won’t just be pointy ears that this amazing actress put into her character for this new family-friendly adventure film as director Kenneth Branagh explains:
“When we started to rehearse, she leant forward, and her shoulders stooped, and her voice dropped, and then suddenly this gravelly, Churchillian, curmudgeonly figure started to emerge.”
You can check out what she looks like right here!
Judi Dench as Commander Root
In Eoin Colfer’s novels which this film will be based on, we see 12-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl who starts a war with an ancient world of fairies. Dench’s character is the leader of the fairy police force called LEPrecon. In the above image, we see the first time Dench was in character for the movie where her troops are about to launch an assault on Fowl Manor.
Branagh remembers that first time seeing Dame Dench in full character:
“I saw all of those actors suddenly, naturally go to attention when they saw Judi, who had this swagger and this cool, who had this great leather coat, who carried the authority quite so effortlessly. She walked out of the craft, looked up at the house, and said [in an Irish accent], ‘Top of the mornin’.’ It was a real sense of a memorable character walking into a movie and owning it, saying ‘I love my clothes, I love my look, I’m in charge, and I’m here to make mischief.'”
What are your thoughts on the first shot of Judi Dench as Commander Root in ‘Artemis Fowl’? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, ARTEMIS FOWL follows 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, as he finds himself in a battle of strength and cunning against a powerful, hidden race of fairies who may be behind his father’s disappearance. The film stars Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Tamara Smart, Nonzo Anozie, with Josh Gad, and Judi Dench. Judy Hofflund and Kenneth Branagh are producing with Angus More Gordon and Matthew Jenkins serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Conor McPherson.
Disney’s ARTEMIS FOWL releases in U.S. theaters on August 9, 2019.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
