Peter Jackson Confirms He Is Writing a ‘Tintin’ Sequel at Cannes

After more than a decade of speculation, delays, and tentative updates, filmmaker Peter Jackson has finally provided a concrete reason for fans to hope. Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, Jackson announced that he is actively working on a sequel to the 2011 hit The Adventures of Tintin.

The news comes as a major development for the franchise, which has been in a state of limbo for years. Jackson revealed that he is currently in the process of penning the script alongside his longtime collaborator, Fran Walsh.

“I was writing it in the hotel room here,” Jackson announced during his appearance at the festival. “It’s an active real thing, and I’m getting back into the ‘Tintin’ world, and I actually love it.”

The Legacy of the 2011 Original

Released in 2011, The Adventures of Tintin remains a landmark in animation history. An adaptation of the iconic Belgian comic by Hergé, the film was directed by Steven Spielberg and featured a powerhouse writing team including Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, and Steven Moffat.

The film was celebrated for its groundbreaking blend of motion capture and computer animation, creating a visual style that felt both tactile and fantastical. Beyond its technical achievements, the movie is remembered for its high-octane action sequences, many of which are considered some of the finest work in Spielberg’s career. With significant source material still available from the original comics, the potential for a sequel is immense.

Decades of Delays: A Timeline of ‘Tintin’ News

While the announcement is exciting, it follows a long history of unfulfilled timelines. For many fans, the project has felt more like a recurring promise than a concrete production. The delay can be traced back to the original release, where the roadmap for a sequel was established but never quite materialized.

• 2011: Following the initial release, producer Kathleen Kennedy suggested a sequel might arrive as early as Christmas 2014 or summer 2015, according to Collider.
• The “Director Deal”: Jackson explained that the original arrangement involved Steven Spielberg directing one installment and Jackson directing the next. While Spielberg completed his film, Jackson has not directed a non-documentary feature since his Hobbit trilogy.
• 2018: Despite discussions regarding whether Jackson would transition to a producer role, Spielberg reasserted that Jackson was still tasked with tackling the second film.
• 2024: Actor Andy Serkis provided a brief update at the Annecy Animation Film Festival, stating that Jackson was indeed still working on the project.

The Emotional Weight Behind the Wait

The delay hasn’t just been a matter of scheduling; it has also been deeply personal. Jackson has previously opened up about how the passing of his close collaborator and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie profoundly impacted his ability to return to the director’s chair. Jackson admitted that the loss made him hesitant to work with a new cinematographer, a sentiment that underscores the human element behind the production’s long hiatus.

As Jackson returns to the “Tintin” world, the industry is watching closely to see if this latest announcement will finally lead to a production greenlight or if it will join the long list of “work-in-progress” updates.

Key Takeaways

• Current Status: Peter Jackson is actively writing the script for a Tintin sequel with Fran Walsh.
• The Announcement: The news was delivered by Jackson personally at the Cannes Film Festival.
• The History: The sequel has been discussed for over 15 years, with various release windows missed since 2011.
• Technical Roots: The franchise is built on the unique motion-capture animation style pioneered by Spielberg and Jackson.