After all these years, the time had finally come to release this. We all know Longcross Studios, the place that’s had it all, from the famous Millennium Falcon to the set of Call the Midwife. I went for a wander and came across this beauty!​

Report on the Artemis Fowl Film Set at Longcross Studios and Disney’s Decision Not to Renew the Franchise​

This report details the film set for Disney’s Artemis Fowl at Longcross Studios and explores the likely reasons behind Disney’s decision not to pursue further films in the franchise.

The Artemis Fowl Film Set at Longcross Studios​

Longcross Studios, located approximately 25 miles west of central London in Surrey, served as a primary filming location for the Artemis Fowl movie. This studio complex, historically a Ministry of Defence site used for testing military vehicles, offered a unique and extensive environment for production.

One of the most notable elements constructed at Longcross was the Artemis Fowl Manor. Instead of finding an existing location or relying heavily on CGI, Disney opted to build the Fowl Manor from the ground up on the studio grounds. This massive set was designed to be fully functional, complete with central heating, a working kitchen, and even Wi-Fi. Building the manor from scratch allowed the filmmakers immense control over its layout, facilitating complex camera movements and intricate scenes, such as the extensive single-take shot showcasing the interior during the troll fight.
Longcross Studios itself boasts impressive facilities, including multiple sound stages (ranging from 13,000 to 47,000 square feet, plus “meganova” stages), extensive workshops, offices, and a 200-acre backlot. The site’s past as a military testing ground provided unusual features like a two-and-a-quarter-mile test track and off-road courses, which could be adapted for various cinematic needs. While much of the film was shot on sets at Longcross, additional location filming took place in scenic areas of Northern Ireland (including Whiterocks Beach, Dunluce Castle, and the Hill of Tara), as well as selective drone footage captured in Italy and other international locations to supplement the fantastical world-building.

Why Disney Didn’t Renew the Artemis Fowl Films​

Despite a significant investment and popular source material, Artemis Fowl (2020) didn’t meet Disney’s expectations, leading to no further films. Key factors included:

1. Poor Critical Reception: The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews (10% on Rotten Tomatoes, 31/100 on Metacritic) due to its plot, dialogue, characters, visual effects, and substantial changes from the books.
2. Major Deviations from Source Material: This was a primary cause of fan dissatisfaction.
   • Character Alterations: Artemis Fowl was softened from a cunning prodigy to a conventional hero, and other characters were changed, alienating fans.
   • Simplified Plot: The complex narrative was streamlined into a generic, “Disney-friendly” story with a forced “MacGuffin” (the Aculos).
   • Excessive Exposition: Critics noted the film’s heavy reliance on narration, which “spoon-fed” the audience.
3. Direct-to-Streaming Release: After years in development, the film’s theatrical release was canceled due to COVID-19, and it premiered on Disney+. This move signaled a lack of confidence from Disney in its box office potential.
4. Wasted Talent: Despite a respected cast (Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Colin Farrell), their talents were largely underutilized due to a weak script.

In essence, Artemis Fowl failed to connect with both existing fans and new audiences because of its significant changes from the books and its execution as a generic fantasy film. The negative reception made further films unprofitable.