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.
I remember the cartoon on HBO back in the late 80’s or early 90’s.
My discussion was on what a “douchebag” studio exec might say, and was just for entertainment purposes.
The Frighteners was pretty good actually, but didn’t make money for the studio.
What is the appeal of Tin Tin to you guys?
I have tried to read it a few times before, and I guess it’s just not my taste. If you guys point it out, maybe I can focus on those and get a feel for it from another perspective.
Pete Jackson’s a great director. I can’t wait for Tin Tin and Lovely Bones comes out.
Hell, Aaron, I’m wondering the same thing about The Frighteners? Why do people hate that movie? It was awesome
and what may i ask is wrong with meet the feebles??? hhmmm?
such a great film….
Two Tintin movies are better than none. I loved reading those books when I was a kid, and it was great revisiting some of them and appreciating the stories on a different level now that I’m older. I’m holding out that the two movies getting made are “Red Rackham’s Treasure” and “Prisoners of the Sun.” I think those stories probably have the most potential.
Tin Tin rules!
Here’s me: VP of Production at Universal…
VP: Oh hi, Steve and Peter…
SS: We want to make Tintin into a movie.
VP: Hmmm….I’m not familiar with it.
PJ: It’s a very internationally popular series of books.
VP: But I’ve never heard of it.
SS: In my experience, the more diverse th fanbase the better.
VP: Hmmm, but your track record at the box office…The Terminal? Amistad? A.I. those didn’t make any money.
PJ: But that Indiana Jones piece of crap made almost a billion worldwide.
VP: And you invented a new term for ludicrous in “Nuking the Fridge”
SS: Yeah, and wait, what?
VP: Besides you should talk with your “Meet the Feebles” and “The Frighteners” track record.
SS: Ha ha he got you there PJ.
PJ: I did make a trilogy of movies that made almost 3B at the box office.
VP: PUHLEEZ The Tolkienites would’ve gone to see stick puppets, “walking” for three movies.
SS: We can take this movie somewhere else you know…
VP: Get out of my office, I’ve got a meeting Uwe Boll so I can greenlight Tetris the Motion Picture. After lunch, I’ll probably back Space Chimps part Two. And this evening, I’m gonna meet over drinks to discuss a biopic of Joe Biden. See, I’ve got projects with much more potential than yours.
PJ: Muttering…Can you believe this?
SS: (Getting up to leave, walking out) I know, and it’s not like you can start your own studio, trust me…
Hey. Unrelated post to the blog, but just wanted to say don’t use joblo.com for your movie news. They booted me from their site with no warning after I started posting comments pointing out all the grammar and spelling errors that their site is notorious for.
Just my humble opinion of course.
Take it or leave it if you want.
M
Holy shit the budget is crazy.
“Tintin is much better known internationally than he is in North America”
He certainly is Doug, I just don’t know if he’s well liked. I can’t speak for anyone else. All I can tell you is that I never liked him.