Universal Passes On Making Tintin Spielberg/Jackson looking for new backer Source: The LA Times
According to the LA Times, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson’s plans for their Tintin trilogy might be in jeopardy, after Universal passed on funding the movies.
The plan had been for Spielberg to start shooting the first of the mo-cap series later this month (even though most of the cast hasn’t yet been announced), with Jackson set to come in to helm the second, and a possible team-up for the pair on the third.
But after the duo submitted a budget of around $130 million to Universal, the studio got cold feet and exited the project. Now, with time running out, Spielberg and Jackson are looking for a studio to back the project.
They may have already found one. Spielberg and Jackson showed a 10-minute sizzle reel for the Tintin trilogy to Paramount execs, including the chairman, Brad Grey, last month, and apparently are now waiting on a yay or a nay.
If Paramount does go ahead and back the venture, it’ll certainly be interesting – mainly because Spielberg and his DreamWorks partner, David Geffen, are currently in the midst of trying to break DreamWorks away from Paramount after a relatively unhappy couple of years at the studio. In fact, Spielberg has just secured funding of up to $500 million from Reliance Big Entertainment and a possible further half a billion from JP Morgan to fund the breakaway, which will see DreamWorks restructured as a private company.
And another twist: Universal is the leading contender to be the studio that distributes DreamWorks’ movies once the split takes place. So, clearly, there are no hard feelings.
Why did Universal pass on the chance to make Tintin? After all, Spielberg and Jackson are two of the most profitable directors in Hollywood history, with a proven track record at busting those blocks.
However, it’s believed that not only was Universal nervous about the mo-cap nature of the project, as mo-cap movies haven’t yet delivered massive box office (Beowulf made almost $200 million worldwide, for example), but they might not have been entirely sold on the idea that the Tintin fanbase, particularly in the States, was large enough to warrant a trilogy.
Oh, and there’s the small matter that, with Spielberg and Jackson had apparently requested around 30% of the gross profit from the movie’s box office, DVD sales and other income streams. That would mean that the first Tintin would have to gross around $425 million before it broke even, and that Spielberg and Jackson would make around $100 million before Universal saw a cent.
Still, the decision to pass has come as a shock, particularly so close to Spielberg’s start date. But, with time an increasingly pressing factor, we imagine that Paramount will come in and back the project. If not, is there a chance that Spielberg might be able to use the new DreamWorks funding to get Tintin underway?
With all the world waiting for something new and fresh and exciting (or is it just me) from the world of movies why bother making a movie about a boy with hair like Jean Paul Gaultier, trousers that were last fashionable on a 20s golf course and is from the same country as Van Damme?
Nice little comic books (had a few as a nipper) but Spielberg should be coming back at us with something amazing. This is not the high class popcorn entertainment we have come to expect from the man.
Tintin shoul... Read More
Jackson + Budget X Giant Monkey = A Nervous Universal
Universal are probably anxious as their last collaboration with Jackson didn’t turn out so great for them. He was quids in receiving $20 million before he’d even shot a single frame of King Kong. That combined with the huge budget saw the film regarded as an under performer at the box office so they wont be looking to make that mistake again. They simply cant rely on the fact that he made arguably the greatest trilogy in movie history to get your average cinema going to stump up the ... Read More
This should be a done deal!!!! Tin Tin, is a house hold name around the world! I grew up on the comics (being the only comic next to asterix, that my liburary at school had the entire collection of) and they are a true gem. Full of good stories and characters i was thrilled to heard that Spielberg and Jackson where heloming the trilogy i was thrilled!!!
Now i hear the studios are hesitating?? Are you kidding me????? Jackson spent $30 mill developing the motion cap - so it has to be something... Read More
I still dont understand why CGI movies are so much more, literally a 100 million more, expensive these days. It should actually be all cheaper because its digital. Time to find out Empire? ... Read More
I am sceptical this film will work. Frankly I think that the TinTin series is not worth a trilogy and barely worth a big budget 1 film; it is a vanity project which is all well and good but maybe messrs Speilberg and Jackson should talk to a certain Mr Tarantino about how vanity projects can go wrong and that a big name director does not put bums on seats. ... Read More
Ok, so spielberg and Jackson will always guarantee bums on seats, but enough to make a profit?
Is it me or can anyone be arsed whether a Tin Tin film gets made, let alone three. Lets not forget that this a cartoon that most people under the age of 30 wouldnt give a shit about. There is zero buzz about this and i think the studio was dead right to pass on this.
Spielberg should be careful.. he's a genius and probably a billionaire but after indy 4 theres a lot of pissed of fans out there...i ... Read More
Seeding as how Jackson optioned the Teneraire books out of his own pocket why does he just not get cracking with adapting them. Napoleonic wars, Dragons and Jackson helming should be a no brainer at the Christmas box office. And why is Lovely Bones taking sooo long? ... Read More
I've tried Tintin & can't say I'm a fan but I do think there would be a market for this. It's just a shame Jackson & Spielberg have sold out & are demanding such a large cut, if they keep on at this rate will studios even bother to hire them? ... Read More
I don´t shed a tear neither for Spielberg nor Jackson. They´ve all left the world of reasonable thinking long ago. And year after year I despise Spielberg more and more. Collaborating with JP Morgan? And people accused a band like U2 of selling out for pairing with Apple! ... Read More
