After more than a decade of silence, director Peter Jackson confirmed at the Cannes Film Festival that he is actively developing a screenplay for a sequel to 2011's The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, according to the announcement reported by the source.. The first film, co-produced by Jackson and directed by Steven Spielberg, grossed $350 million worldwide against a $135 million budget,making it a commercial and critical success. Jackson is now set to direct the follow-up as part of an alternating-director agreement with Spielberg that was established before the first film's release.

The $350 million reason the sequel took 14 years to surface

The 2011 film was a groundbreaking motion-capture achievement that brought together a dream team: Spielberg and Jackson as producers, a script by Edgar Wright, Steven Moffat, and Joe Cornish, and production support from Kathleen Kennedy. Despite strong box office results, the sequel languished for nearly 14 years. According to the source, Jackson clarified that the delay was due to a structured plan—he and Spielberg had agreed to alternate directing duties. While Spielberg helmed the first, Jackson was always slated to direct the second.

The gap also reflects Jackson's shift towrad documentary filmmaking after his last fictional feature, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014). His recent projects include the World War I documentary They Shall Not Grow Old and The Beatles: Get Back, both praised for their immersive depth. With the unreleased The Hunt for Gollum now being directed by Andy Serkis, Jackson has regained the creative bandwidth to return to Tintin.

Which Herge comic will Jackson adapt? Tintin in Tibet vs. The Blue Lotus

The selection of source material is a critical decision. The source notes that some of Herge's early works contain outdated stereotypes and offensive depictions that would be problematic today. However, several later adventures are strong candidates. Tintin in Tibet offers an emotional, spiritual journey, while The Blue Lotus provides a rich political backdrop set in 1930s China. The comedic The Castafiore Emerald could also play to Jackson's strengths in blending action with visual wit. Jackson and his writing partner Fran Walsh are reportedly working on the screenplay, but no specific story has been announced.

What remains unknown about the cast and production timeline

While Jackson's involvement is confirmed, numerous questions persist. Will the original voice cast—including Jamie Bell as Tintin, Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, and Daniel Craig as Red Rackham—return? The source does not mention casting details. Additionally, a production timeline has not been provided; the announcement at Cannes only confirmed active development. As the source reports, the sequel's script is still being written, making a 2026 release plausible but unconfirmed. Another open question is how the film will handle moddernizing Herge's more sensitive portrayals, especially if an early adventure like The Blue Lotus is chosen, which features Chinese characters drawn in a period style that may require careful treatment.