It looks like Spielberg and Jackson have obtained backing for two Tintin films. We get the following scoop thanks to our friends over at cinematical:
You might remember that at the end of September, word came that Steven Spielberg was having trouble financing his Tintin trilogy. Universal Studios had passed on the film, leaving Spielberg and co-director Peter Jackson without a major backer. According to Variety, they’ve found one. Sony and Paramount Studios are in talks to co-finance the franchise, with Sony handling the foreign release, and Paramount overseeing the domestic. DreamWorks will have no association with the film whatsoever.
The news that Tintin will still go ahead is good for fans — but as always, there’s a catch. Under the deal currently being negotiated, it looks as though there will only be two Tintin films. Considering that a director was never assigned, or a script written, this may have been decided long before the financing fell through.
I’m sure that if the first two Tintin films do well, we will see many more than a pair. A deuce of films may be perfect however. Spielberg and Jackson both wanted a shot at directing Tintin, maybe the set will be best if they each do one and leave it be.
I remember reading Tintin as a youngster. I would get random Tintin stories in grade 1 and 2 from the Bookmobile. The bookmobile was a small bus loaded with kick ass children’s books that would make the weekly rounds to all the schools in Welland county. I remember reading Tintin and lots of the Mr. Men books by Roger Hargraves.
Tintin is much better known internationally than he is in North America, but if a pair of quality films introduce a new generation to this character we may see a renewed interest in Tintin flame on round the globe.
