Jackson Takes on Tintin: Malta Could Be Next Filming Destination

Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Valletta on a sunny afternoon. Tourists and locals alike are queuing up outside the St. John’s Co-Cathedral, eager to step into the grandeur of the Baroque masterpiece. Among them, a group of excited children, dressed as hobbits, chatter animatedly about their favourite scenes from ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Little do they know, the man who brought Middle-earth to life is about to embark on a new adventure, this time with a beloved Belgian reporter and his trusty dog.

Yes, you heard it right, Peter Jackson, the Kiwi director who turned Malta into Middle-earth, is now tackling another literary classic – ‘The Adventures of Tintin’. The news has sent ripples of excitement through the local film industry and Tintin fans across the globe.

Jackson, along with his long-time collaborators, screenwriters Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh, and producer Barry Mendel, has acquired the film rights to the iconic comic strip series created by Belgian artist Hergé. The deal includes all 24 Tintin adventures, opening up a world of possibilities for the director known for his epic sagas.

While details about the project are still under wraps, fans are speculating about which Tintin adventure will make it to the big screen first. Will it be ‘The Crab with the Golden Claws’, which introduced the intrepid reporter and his loyal dog Snowy? Or perhaps ‘The Secret of the Unicorn’, the adventure that started it all for Jackson and Steven Spielberg’s animated film ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ in 2011?

Malta, which played host to Jackson’s Middle-earth productions, could once again find itself on the map for Tintin. With its diverse landscapes and rich history, the island has proven to be a versatile filming location. Could the historic streets of Mdina double as the cobbled alleys of Tintin’s hometown, Brussels? Or might the rugged cliffs of Dingli be transformed into the snowy peaks of the Himalayas?

Local film enthusiasts are already buzzing with possibilities. “Malta has shown it can handle large-scale productions,” says Mark, a local film buff. “I’d love to see us host another Jackson film. It’s great exposure for our island.”

Tintin, created by Hergé in 1929, has captivated generations of readers with his thrilling adventures around the globe. From the Arctic to the Amazon, from the moon to the Middle East, Tintin and his friends have explored every corner of the world, making the series a true classic of children’s literature.

Jackson, a self-professed Tintin fan, has spoken about his love for the character. “Tintin was one of the first comic book heroes I encountered as a kid,” he said in an interview. “I was always drawn to his sense of adventure and his fearlessness.”

With Jackson at the helm, fans can expect a faithful adaptation that captures the spirit of Hergé’s original stories. And who knows? Perhaps we’ll even see a few Maltese Easter eggs hidden among the action.