I was not aware filming had actually begun. In fact, last I knew, Steven Spielberg was having a hard time rallying together the cash to get started. But today, we ALL learn a little something as Peter Jackson announces that filming on TinTin is now oh-ficially in the can.
Dubbed “The Adventures of TinTin: Secret of the Unicorn”, chances are most of you who are either not Belgian nor read much Belgian comic literature have absolutely NO IDEA who TinTin is. Well, no need to check the Wiki when you got me here to do it for you.
Secret of the Unicorn is actually based on the story that original TinTin creator Herge created back during the Nazi occupation of Belgium in World War II of the same name, but will also incorporate other elements from two other TinTin stories.
I personally look for this to flop like a righteous mad bastard pretty much everywhere but in Belgium where they will elect Peter Jackson god-emperor by popular acclaim because PRETTY MUCH NO ONE OUTSIDE OF BELGIUM HAS EVER HEARD OF TINTIN.
But, as always, only time will tell.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Martin said
November 25 2009 @ 3:48 am
I’m guessing this website is American right? Poor bastards. You can’t see passed your own noose, don’t ya?
Like Asterix and other great European comic books, Tin Tin is well know all over the world, from Europe to South America. In fact, it’s so popular that, in the case of Asterix, there’s a satellite named after him.
So no one knows about Tin Tin? I’m guessing that’s why names like Spielberg and Jackson are involved in the project.
Do your research before you write BS that makes you look like you don’t have any idea what your talking about.
Per your comments I can see you wanted to have some controversy. You should’ve seen this one coming.
Chris Tregenza said
November 25 2009 @ 5:36 am
Martin is spot on regarding your lack of research and awareness. Except that Tintin is also very popular in North America, however it is limited to the sort of intelligent, independent thinking Americans who watch PBS and who have visited a foreign country.
More interestingly, the Tintin movie is a milestone marking the decline of Hollywood and the dominance of Americana in the cinema.
Spielberg, the archetypal Hollywood director, is making a film about a Euro centric brand name, where 90% of the production is being done in New Zealand and it will be released in Europe weeks before its American release.
Times are a-changin’ as some American once sang.
Steve Anderson said
November 25 2009 @ 1:39 pm
Martin and Chris–this one’ll work for both of you, I suppose. First, I’m not alone in my suggestion that the TinTin brand will not work well on the grander stage. Cinema Blend ALSO suggests that the concept will have a tough time flying. And yes, I did want some controversy. I love reasoned debate. Which is why I’m glad both of you showed up, because my milder pieces really don’t seem to DRAW any reasoned debate.
Oh, and Chris–you make the mistake of assuming that I too have never heard of or read any TinTin. The difference here is that I have. Don’t care for it much but I have. And further, I can also tell that this is not the kind of movie that’s likely to play well in the biggest marketplace on earth, which the United States still is. Thus, a major chunk of sales is very likely (note my use of phrases like LIKELY as I am incapable of accurately seeing the future) to not show up and leave TinTin twisting in the wind.
Seriously, why do you think Steven Spielberg, one of the biggest names in Hollywood for three decades, which YOU PERSONALLY call the archetypal director, had to delay this movie for so long because he couldn’t get funding?
Chances are good neither of you will respond to this post, which is sad, because we could’ve had some dialog going.
Paul said
November 25 2009 @ 4:40 pm
hey i heard of timtim in australia but i got to agree i didn’t think of it much not as much as superman and batman.
Today on some of our blogs: | Tech | SlyVisions dot Com said
November 25 2009 @ 4:58 pm
[...] Charger10 First Person Shooters to look forward to in 2010The Uno Motorbike–Preposterous But CoolPeter Jackson Finishes Filming TinTin–Some People Almost Care30 digital paintings by Lorenz Hideyoshi Ruwwe Share This [...]
eoin ofaolain said
November 25 2009 @ 5:06 pm
Tintin may not have been huge in the US, but it was certainly big in Europe, through the comics and the cartoons. You could argue that tintin may do well in Europe and less-well in the US. But of course this is a Spielberg film, and he doesn’t do bombs (even Amistad made more than its money back). And you’d have to look back to Empire fo the Sun to find a film of his that made under $44 million. So I’d be surprised if his name alone couldn’t muster something like that up in the US, and make over $100 million worldwide.
As for the delay, well, part of it was due to the writer’s strike creating problems with scheduling. As for the other part, well it’s not like major studios are always right (indeed, many say they’re mostly wrong!), so it doesn’t suggest that a film will bomb because of initial reluctance. The converse (rushed pics) certainly isn’t true.
Never underestimate the appeal of a kids movie, especially when it has a Christmas release in the US (Tintin is out Dec 23 2011). Kids flocked to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, a show I doubt most kids were aware of.
Steve Anderson said
November 25 2009 @ 10:19 pm
Eoin–good point.
Paul–I suppose I AM underestimating the total world appeal, aren’t I?
Though I do remain skeptical that a movie that won’t “play in Peoria”, as the saying goes, can look to make serious money. That’s a BIG chunk of market, after all.
Today on some of our blogs: | Share Anything for Everyone in the World said
November 27 2009 @ 2:19 am
[...] Charger10 First Person Shooters to look forward to in 2010The Uno Motorbike–Preposterous But CoolPeter Jackson Finishes Filming TinTin–Some People Almost Care30 digital paintings by Lorenz Hideyoshi [...]