Sony in Talks to Co-Finance ‘Tintin’
When last we left Tintin, he and Snowy were facing an uncertain future as the famed directors Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson wanted to turn his graphic novel adventures into at least two live-action films. The forces of corporate evil, though, saw to it that DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures were split asunder, leaving financing for the films up in the air.
Sony, like a white knight, has ridden to the rescue. According to the scribes at Variety, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Paramount Pictures are now discussing terms to allow them to co-finance the digital 3-D films together.
The hero, created by Belgian artist Georges Remi (a.k.a. Herge), had first thought that Universal Studios, new home to DreamWorks would partner up to ensure audiences around the world got to thrill to his exploits. Instead, Universal balked so Paramount told Spielberg and Jackson they would front the full $135 million budget in exchange for better profit-sharing terms. Now it was the directors’ turn to balk forcing Paramount to seek assistance.
The Sony-Paramount deal would be the first film only and would grant Sony international distribution rights while Paramount would retain North American rights in addition to distribution deals in selected English-speaking countries.
While the cash has begun tof low once more, there remains concern over production commencing, as planned, in the fall. Thomas Sangster, the human selected to portray the teen hero, left the project. Spielberg remains optimistic they will recast, shoot and still make their 2010 release date. Jackson would then direct a second film.
Although DreamWorks is now no longer a participant, the principal players remain somewhat enmeshed in their lives. Jackson has delivered The Lovely Bones to DreamWorks which Paramount will release in 2009.