Tintin: In Motion

Tintin and Snowy rush off to New Zealand to work with Peter Jackson.  

This story appeared in Variety on Friday, but got a little overlooked in all the “Watchmen” frenzy, I think. Nonetheless, I thought it was interesting and worth bringing to notice.

We’ve heard bits and pieces about the Steven Spielberg-Peter Jackson plans for a Tintin movie, including some casting (Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis), and word that the script had been written by Edgar Wright, Steven Moffat, and Joe Cornish. But other than that, there hasn’t been a lot of information about how far into it they are, what are they doing, etc. Well, now we know–according to the Variety story, Spielberg, who’s listed as director of the first film in the trilogy, has quietly been filming performance-capture segments of the movie for the last 32 days, and now is handing it over to Peter Jackson and his crew for a planned eighteen months of special effects work. Wow, this is going to be one tech-worthy film.

This information also brings up the question of whether this is really a Spielberg film or more of a co-directed movie between Jackson and Spielberg, and whether the second (and who knows about the third) film will be the same. Should they each get separate billing? Or should they do what the Beatles used to do by listing every song as written by Lennon-McCartney, whether both were involved or not? Or do they feel that even though they’re essentially sharing the work on both (remember, I’m speculating a little here about how the second movie will be made) but it’s neater to give an individual credit for each one? Hopefully they’ll stay on good terms, otherwise there could be a messy fight at the Directors’ Guild in the future (goodness, I’m just really stirring up the soap-level nonexistent drama today!).

As for what’s been done, it’s top secret, but apparently so great no one has words for it. In fact, Spielberg spokesman Marvin Levy said: “”You have to see it to understand (the technology). It really can’t be described.”

But he quickly nixed the idea of a visit to the set. “That wouldn’t be feasible,” he says.

Spielberg’s longtime producer, Kathleen Kennedy, speaking from the Los Angeles set, concurred: “It’s extremely difficult to explain to someone unless they are standing here next to me. And usually then their reaction is, ‘Oh my god.’ ”

Okay, then can I come stand next to you?

I liked the casting of this movie, but only had so much interest, as I’ve never been immersed in the Tintin world (that was what rich, private school kids read on break from their enrichment programs). Now, though, I’m really getting curious…