Peter Jackson Brings Tintin to Life in Malta

Imagine this: the sun dipping below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the ancient streets of Valletta. Suddenly, a familiar figure appears, not a hobbit, but a young boy with a shock of red hair and a dog named Snowy. You’re not in Middle-earth anymore, but you’re about to embark on another incredible journey. This time, it’s to the moon and back with Tintin, as director Peter Jackson takes the helm of the beloved Belgian comic series.

Peter Jackson, the Kiwi director who brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth to life in a trilogy of epic films, is no stranger to adapting beloved stories for the big screen. After wrapping up his ‘Hobbit’ trilogy in 2014, Jackson turned his attention to another cherished tale – that of young reporter Tintin and his daring adventures. The news sent waves of excitement through the local film industry, as Malta, with its diverse landscapes and rich history, was chosen as a filming location.

Malta’s film commissioner, Jonathan Attard, expressed his delight at the news, “Having Peter Jackson here is a testament to Malta’s versatility as a filming location. We’re thrilled to be part of this exciting project.” The production team set up base at the historic Fort St. Angelo in Kirkop, transforming it into a bustling film set.

Created by Belgian artist Hergé, Tintin first appeared in 1929. Since then, the intrepid young reporter and his loyal dog Snowy have become global icons, with over 230 million copies of the adventures sold worldwide. The series has been translated into more than 50 languages, and its influence can be seen in countless films, TV shows, and comics.

Jackson’s adaptation, titled ‘The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn’, is set to be a faithful retelling of Hergé’s original story. The film follows Tintin as he becomes entangled in a centuries-old mystery surrounding a model ship, the Unicorn. With the help of the bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson, and the drunken Captain Haddock, Tintin races against time to unravel the secret before his arch-nemesis, the sinister Sakharine, can get his hands on it.

Malta’s unique history and architecture made it the perfect backdrop for several scenes in the film. The historic city of Mdina, with its narrow streets and fortified walls, doubles as the bustling city of Bagghar in India. Meanwhile, the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk stands in for the coastal town of Agartha, where Tintin and Haddock encounter a mysterious old sailor.

Local film enthusiasts were thrilled to catch a glimpse of their favorite actors during the filming. “It was incredible to see Peter Jackson working,” said Malta-based cinematographer, Joe Camilleri. “He’s a true master of his craft.”

The ‘Tintin’ film, set for release in 2011, is just the beginning of a new wave of adaptations. Jackson has hinted at plans to bring more of Hergé’s adventures to the big screen, with ‘The Calculus Affair’ and ‘The Seven Crystal Balls’ already in the pipeline. For Maltese film enthusiasts, this means more opportunities to see their island on the silver screen, and more chances to be part of the magic.

As Jackson himself said, “Malta has been an incredible location to film in. The people here are warm and welcoming, and the landscapes are breathtaking. We’re looking forward to coming back.”