Peter Jackson says Tintin 2 is next — but we’ve heard that before
Peter Jackson has finished the script for Tintin 2, putting the long-delayed sequel in pole position as his next film. After years of stop-and-go, the boy reporter could be back on the big screen soon.
For anyone wondering what Peter Jackson's been up to instead of giving us mad-eyed orcs or sopping wet hobbits, there might finally be an answer: Tintin 2. Yes, apparently that ship hasn't sailed yet—Jackson's dusted off the old plans with a script finally finished, or so he claims.
Jackson Breaks His Feature Film Drought... Maybe
Jackson told Gold Derby he and Fran Walsh (his creative and, let's face it, life partner) have wrapped the script for another Tintin film. If you missed this bit of film history: 15 years ago, Steven Spielberg directed The Adventures of Tintin with Jackson producing, and the big idea was they’d swap roles for round two—Jackson taking the reins with Spielberg producing. Then, nothing happened. For ages.
Now Jackson’s saying:
"So probably the next film that I’d actually direct is a Tintin movie."
He admits this is 'a bit late', but reassures fans it’s 'a timeless story', as if that makes the decade-and-a-half wait any easier.
What’s Actually Happening With Tintin 2?
The first Tintin film landed back in 2011—yes, really, that long ago. Since then, the sequel’s been in full-on development purgatory, with fresh rumours seemingly every year but nothing to show for it. There’s still no official word on what story they’re adapting, but it’s long been suspected we’d get a big-screen mash-up of ‘The Seven Crystal Balls’ and ‘Prisoners of the Sun’.
If Jackson and Spielberg stick to their original plan, expect to see most of the classic cast:
- Jamie Bell as Tintin
- Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock
- Nick Frost & Simon Pegg returning as the bumbling Thomson and Thompson
- An introduction for Professor Calculus, who’s not entirely with it but brilliant nonetheless
Of course, nothing’s locked in. Jackson’s latest script could just as easily be a different Hergé story altogether. Not like we’ve had updates you’d want to bet the house on.
What's Been Keeping Jackson?
If you’re asking why Jackson’s not directed a feature since The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies in 2014, there’s actually a pretty sombre explanation. He’s spent his time on documentaries—like 'They Shall Not Grow Old' on WWI and 'The Beatles: Get Back – The Rooftop Concert'—but no traditional narrative films.
The main reason, as Jackson puts it, is the loss of Andrew Lesnie, his long-time cinematographer, which left him at a creative crossroads:
"I think his death changed my creative path. The result is for 11 or 12 years, I haven't made a drama film because that would require me to build a relationship with another DP."
Not exactly the sort of obstacle you hear about every day, but it’s at least a human answer to the twelve-year gap.
As for whether Tintin 2 will genuinely materialise, even I’m not putting money on it until there’s a camera rolling.