Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson to helm third ‘Tintin’

Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson will direct the third Tintin film jointly, reports say.

Speaking at the Cannes premiere of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Spielberg revealed his plans for the motion-capture trilogy.

“We are going to make three Tintin movies back-to-back. I’ll direct the first one, Peter will direct the second one. We’ll probably co-direct the third one,” Spielberg said.

British teen actor Thomas Sangster has been cast as Hergé’s comic book adventurer, while Andy Serkis will play Captain Haddock.

Tintin is scheduled to begin filming in September.

Thomas Sangster to Be Tapped as Tintin?

Thomas Sangster has been reported to be landing an important role in the feature film series to be directed by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson.

The 17-year-old actor is going to be cast as the titular character in “Tintin” trilogy.

Though the aspiring actor’s agent refused to give direct comment on the speculations, a film executive working with Sangster revealed that it is more likely that he would be cast.

“Thomas seems to be the one,” said the executive. “He was just great, but I’m not certain if anything has been finalised yet.”

On related news to “Tintin”, it was rumored that James Cameron might be signed to direct the third film as Spielberg has been set to helm the first and Jackson the second.

Despite the fact that Andy Serkis, the actor who has been cast as Captain Haddock, has revealed the order of the first two films’ directors, speculations stating that Spielberg and Jackson may be collaborating for the films are still circulating.

Steven Spielberg to Direct First ‘Tintin’, Peter Jackson Second

Speculations about the order of the directors for the “Tintin” film trilogy have partly been answered.
In an interview with Andy Serkis has revealed that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have been tapped to direct the first and second “Tintin” films.

Talking about him being reunited with Jackson for the project, the man behind the character of Gollum in “Lord of the Rings” series revealed,

“Steven Spielberg is directing the first one, and then Peter Jackson is doing the second.” Despite revealing the directors’ order for the first two films, Serkis didn’t say who might be directing the third film.

He further explained that the majority of the principal photography should start in September, but following the writers’ strike, the schedules were moved a bit.

The first of the “Tintin” trilogy is slated for 2009 release followed by “Tintin 2″ in 2010.

Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and DreamWorks’ trilogy ‘Tintin’

Peter Jackson is set to reteam with his performance-capture muse Andy Serkis for DreamWorks’ trilogy ‘Tintin’

which is based on Georges Remi’s Belgian comic-strip. Steven Spielberg and Jackson will each helm at least one of the three films, though DreamWorks declined comment on the specific lineup.

Serkis, who has collaborated with Jackson on several films by providing the human expression and movements behind such CG characters as Gollum in ’The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy and the big ape in ’King Kong’ has signed on to star in the films. DreamWorks was mum on which character or characters the actor will play but said it will not be the titular Tintin.

Pics will chronicle the adventures of Tintin, a junior reporter who will follow stories even though he often finds his own life in jeopardy.

Principal photography on the first film is scheduled to begin in September.

Films will be based on three stories from “The Adventures of Tintin” series by Remi, who wrote under the pen name of Herge, and will be produced in full digital 3-D using performance capture technology. Jackson’s New Zealand-based WETA Digital will provide the f/x work, which will commence before the September start date.

Serkis was nominated for a Golden Globe last week for his supporting role in the TV series ’Longford’