Tintin Update
Sony in talks to co-finance; lead actor bows out. by Jim Vejvoda <http://movies.ign.com/email.html> November 3, 2008 - Sony Pictures is reportedly in talks to co-finance Tintin <http://movies.ign.com/objects/374/374102.html> , a 3D performance-capture and live-action collaboration between Oscar-winning directors Steven <http://stars.ign.com/objects/916/916595.html> Spielberg and Peter <http://stars.ign.com/objects/912/912159.html> Jackson. Universal Pictures passed on funding half of the first of two proposed Tintin movies last month. "The first film's budget of about $130 million is not exceptionally large by contemporary standards. But Mr. Spielberg and Mr. Jackson, as two of the industry's most prestigious directors, were demanding nearly a third of the movie's gross receipts - terms that proved difficult at a time when studios were tightening belts," according to <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/business/media/01tintin.html?_r=1&scp=1&s q=Tintin&st=cse&oref=slogin> The New York Times. "Paramount later offered to make the movie on terms it found more favorable, but the directors' representatives pressed for alternatives. Sony offered to take the movie under a deal more to the filmmakers' liking, but Paramount was reluctant to let go entirely and began discussing a partnership, according to one of the people briefed on the discussions." Sony will reportedly distribute Tintin internationally and Paramount will handle domestic distribution and in certain English-speaking territories. DreamWorks will no longer be associated with the project. Spielberg will direct the first Tintin, which is slated for a 2010 release, while Jackson will helm the sequel. Variety suggests that the third proposed film has been scrapped. Variety adds actor Thomas Sangster <http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14242486.html> , who had been cast as the titular young Belgian reporter, dropped out when production, which had been slated for this fall, was delayed as a result of the financing falling through. Tintin is an adaptation of Georges Remi's classic comic strip.
