Netflix Adds 3D Streaming!

Tim here, with some really exciting news for Netflix subscribers! It turns out that along with the Super HD feature Netflix provides subscribers can also now stream 3D movies and television content for select titles in the United States with the following devices:

- Sony PlayStation 3 (connected TV must support 3D)
- LG TV Series: LM6200, LM6400, LM6600, LM6650, LM6700, LM7600, LS5700, LS5750, PM4700, PM6700, PM6900, PM9700

Additional device support coming soon!

To stream titles in 3D, your Internet Provider needs to be connected to Netflix's new content delivery network - Netflix Open Connect. I visited their Super HD page to see if my Internet Provider is connected and found that it isn't. Not yet, as I can contact them to ask them to connect. Open Connect is required for both Super HD and 3D streaming.

If you have a compatible device and your Internet Provider is connected to Netflix Open Connect, you can find 3D titles by looking for the 3D logo. Please note that 3D streaming requires an Internet connection speed of at least 6Mb/s, while 12Mb/s will deliver their highest 3D video quality.Some of the titles available today for 3D Streaming are: The Adventures of Tintin, Jackass 3D, 3D Dive, 3D Safari, Dolphins: The Ultimate Guide, Sky Soldier, AniMen: The Galactic Battle, Oscar's Oasis 3D, Angelo Rules 3D, and Plankton Invasion 3D.

Also, in a recent interview Netflix Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt said that Netflix subscribers can also expect 4K streaming in a year or two. This can only help improve the quality for 3D Streaming. From his point of view "streaming will be the best way to get the 4K picture into people's homes. That's because of the challenges involved in upgrading broadcast technologies and the fact that it isn't anticipated within the Blu-ray disc standard." He goes on to add "4K will likely be streamed first before it goes anywhere else." Combined with the 3D Streaming service this will mean that Netflix will continue to dominate the home entertainment industry.

Some very exciting services coming out of Netflix this year and in the next year or two. Their 3D Streaming selections will only increase over time. Hopefully soon they'll also do their own orignal series in 3D just as they did with House of Cards, which was shot in 4K. Keep a watch out for Netflix 3D!

Spielberg Hopes TINTIN 2 Will Release In 2015

We have been waiting for some sort of confirmation of the release year for the TINTIN sequel that will be directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Steven Spielberg. Well the later just confirmed that 2015 still is the date that everyone is aiming for and hopefully they can swing that.

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN went on to make $374 million worldwide so one can see why a sequel is in the works. Clearly the overseas market is the driver here with that box office totaling almost $300 million itself.

Here's what Spielberg had to say:
"Peter Jackson is directing the next one, I’m producing. We have a script and we’re going to start performance capture probably at the end of this year. Don’t hold me to it, but we’re hoping the film will come out around Christmas-time in 2015. We know which books we’re making, we can’t share that now but we’re combining two books which were always intended to be combined by Herge."

Can't wait to hear about the first details of the followup. Which books do you think they will be using? Good question! 

Source: Indiatimes via The Film Stage

"Hugo" & Scorsese Win Big at International 3D Society Awards

Tim here. Martin Scorsese walked away with the Harold Lloyd Filmmaker Award when the International 3D Society honored him and his 3D masterpiece Hugo at the 3D Creative Arts Awards held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Hugo received three awards, Best Live Action 3D Feature, Best Stereography (Live Action), and Best 3D Moment of the Year. Scorsese also spoke about the restoration of classic 3D movies for Blu-Ray, which was met with thunderous applause.

"My favorites are the old ones," Scorsese said. "There are so many. To see the films at home (on 3D Blu-ray) is going to be really remarkable. And to see them in their original form … seeing Dial M for Murder in 3D, in particular, is an entirely different experience."

Animation also was huge at the awards ceremony as The Adventures of Tintin and Puss in Boots walked away with Best Animated 3D Feature and Best Stereography (Animated) respectively. Chris Miller, director of Puss in Boots said, "(3D) is on the verge of being recognized as a great contributor to cinematic storytelling — and that is what it is. When we added it into any sequence in the film, it was about ‘how can we best (use 3D) to tell the story."

Wim Wenders' Pina received the Jury Prize for Excellence from the Society, and additional Lumiere statuettes were awarded to The Lion King for Best 2D-to-3D Conversion, and Cave of Forgotten Dreams for Best 3D Documentary.

Winners in television include 3net’s Fields of Valor: Civil War, for entertainment programming; Sony Japan’s Ayumi Hamasaki: Arena Tour, for a live event; and BSkyB’s Champions League Final, in live sports.

Sony Corporation of America was honored with the Sir Charles Wheatstone Award for education at its Sony 3D Technology Center in Culver City.

Additional Award winners included:
3D Short Motion Picture/Narrative: "The Foundling" (RSA Films)
Electronic Broadcast Media (Television) – Ad/Commercial: "Best Buy 3D"
Electronic Broadcast Media (Television) – Short: "Foster the People - Don’t Stop" (Digital Revolution Studios)
Special Attraction – "King Kong 360 3D" (Universal Studios Hollywood)
3D Videogame – Portable: "Street Fighter IV" (Capcom)
3D Videogame – Console: "Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception" (Naughty Dog-Sony Computer Electronics)
3D Videogame – PC: "Batman: Arkham City" (Warner Brothers)

International "Jury Prizes" were presented to:
Beijing Film Academy (China) – "The Light of Shanghai Expo"
KT Skylife (Korea) – "3D Microspace"
NHK (Japan) – "The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami"
Nippon Television (Japan) – "3D Baseball Live"
Sony (Japan) – "Final Fantasy"
Bandai (Japan) – "Hipura"
Fuji Television (Japan) – "Tokyo Control"

The Society’s television partner, 3net, plans to air a one-hour special, "Your World in 3D,” highlighting nominated works and red carpet interviews from the ceremony.

Congratulations to all involved!

Spielberg: Perf Cap Will Start For TINTIN 2 Later This Year! He Will Produce -Not Direct- JURASSIC PARK 4 AND ROBOPOCALYPSE In 3D?

Holy Spielberg-update Batman! Steven Spielberg just gave us a wicked look ahead for his upcoming projects while promoting WAR HORSE in France.

Here's what he had to say...

Spielberg on TINTIN 2:
“I’m not going to say which stories have been chosen for Peter Jackson’s sequel because Peter and I agreed that we weren’t going to let that information out yet. The script is now being written. It’s more than one book, but it’s not three books, so that means it’s two books. It’s two and a half books that we’re combining with The Secret of the Unicorn. And Peter will start working on the film this year. When he’s done shooting The Hobbit, he’ll begin his performance capture work with the actors later in 2012, which I’m very excited about. And of course, I’m hoping I’ll be able to direct the third one. I’d love to do the third one because I had so much fun on the first one.”

Spielberg on ROBOCOPALYPSE:
“I just finished shooting a movie about Abraham Lincoln staring Daniel Day-Lewis which I am so deeply proud of. But because I am right in the middle of the editing of Lincoln, I’m not really going to speak and talk very much about that until the time is right to talk about it. And I’m making a science fiction movie probably in September called Robopocalypse based on Daniel Wilson’s book. It’s a cautionary tale about war between human beings and robots. It’s a big crowd pleaser, I think, a big action popcorn movie with a message. The message is actually in the popcorn! You have to get the popcorn, dig down deep in the bottom and they’ll be a message about what Robopocalypse is really about! And I have a couple of other plans which I don’t want to go into because they’re too far out of the horizon. But there’s a lot of work ahead, a lot of television my company is producing for some of the networks and some of the cable outlets. So I’m busy!”

He also spoke recently to Time Out London about the movie's direction:
"It’s a movie about a global war between man and machine. I had a great time creating the future on “Minority Report”, and it’s a future that is coming true faster than any of us thought it would. “Robopocalypse” takes place in 15 or 20 years, so it’ll be another future we can relate to. It’s about the consequences of creating technologies which make our lives easier, and what happens when that technology becomes smarter than we are. It’s not the newest theme, it’s been done throughout science fiction, but it’s a theme that becomes more relevant every year."

Spielberg on JURASSIC PARK 4:
“I don’t want to talk about Jurassic Park 4 yet – it’s too early – but I can tell you that I’m not directing it. I’m producing it though.”

Of course his number one partner in crime Kathleen Kennedy has already said that Jurassic Park belongs in 3D.

Yes, it's disappointing that Spielberg won't be directing JP4, but at least his DNA will be in it. The man is BUSY. It's not surprising.

I HAD to put something in this post about ROBOPOCALYPSE because it may very well turn out to be 3D knowing Spielberg and Kennedy. With the coming singularity (computers becoming sentient and smarter than we are), this movie is bang on for what we need to think about. Really hoping it will be S3D given the subject matter!

Source: Collider | Time Out London

Reader Review: What Did You Think About TINTIN?

Before I post my thoughts on TINTIN (can you believe I haven't had time to see it yet!) - what did you think? Even our European friends - chime in. I know you have been holding back spoilers for us for a long time! All's fair in the comments section!!

I am DYING to see it, so I'm off to the cinema tomorrow! Obviously I won't be reading the comments until AFTER the movie... :-)

TINTIN Passes $220 Million In Overseas Box Office

December 21st can't come soon enough!

TINTIN has been doing very well overseas as expected as he has a huge following over in his native land. Thus far the movie has accumulated $221,600,000 in the foreign market and is posed for a massive release in less than 2 weeks in North America.

Spielberg and Jackson's movie was just released in Japan where it earned $4.1m on opening which helped TINTIN stay hot, declining only 16% week over week.

Any guesses on the box office here in North America on opening weekend? :-)

Poll Closed: TINTIN Is The Resounding Winner In This Season's Anticipation For 3D Movies!

Nice results for Spielberg & Jackson, but who is really surprised? Not me. A majority 51% listed TINTIN as one of their top choices to see this season.

Click to enlarge the results image.

I think you made a wise choice too - how does $56 million sound? Sounds pretty good to Paramount right about now as TINTIN has been slapping around the competition in Europe for a few days now! Wait until the doors open in North America - this thing will go ballistic. Easily $1 billion plus. Easily.

PUSS IN BOOTS charmed its way into second place with 26% in our poll - Dreamworks Animation has been filled its channels with marketing for a long time now and it is paying off in the theaters. PIB has clawed in $34 million thus far and is still in its first week's framework. Of course the inclement weather in the northeast of the US has certainly put a damper on Puss' performance.

Now it gets interesting. IMMORTALS (21%) has topped out Scorsese's HUGO (18%) for third spot! I find this remarkable as Tarsem Singh has had some success but is not proven with a large budget yet. I am hoping for the best, but in my books HUGO must be a must see.

I'll have a new poll soon for you guys - enjoy the new 3D releases this season and let me know what you think of them!

TINTIN Invades Europe Today! Cool Thompson And Thomson Street Marketing *AND* A New Featurette!!

Finally the day has come... errr overseas anyway! THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN has hit the big screens in Europe and the high-jinx has commenced! Check out the UK "Live the adventure" interactive trailer here.

TINTIN opens in North America on December 23.

Here's the street marketing video clip:




Here's the new Featurette:



So cool - can't wait for our turn!!

Spielberg / Jackson's Second TINTIN Trailer!

Oh man is this thing going to be good. Spielberg and Jackson are turning up the wattage with each subsequent clip release! My only worry now is seeing too much before getting the big screen in front of me.

Part of the reason that we are getting such great exposure to the movie is because THE ADVENTURE OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN opens next week overseas. We have to wait until December 21 in North America but of course we are all part of the same Internet so those cool marketing trailers and such are part of our lives too.

So prepare to be wowed by this new trailer guys. It will knock you out!



More when I get it!

Five New Clips And Three BTS Videos From TINTIN!!

TINTIN is about to land on European shores in a couple of weeks (Oct 26) and the anticipation is through the roof! We are going to have to wait until December 21 over here and by then word from overseas will drive opening weekend numbers sky high.

It's vintage Spielberg guys. A young Indiana Jones adventure in performance capture! You can see Peter Jackson's touch of course as his very own Weta team is responsible for the perfcap and effects - which is the whole freakin' thing anyway!

Prepare to be wowed with this thing. I know I am. Can't wait! So enjoy these clips (some behind the scenes clips too!) in the interim while we patiently wait...

Source: The Playlist via The Film Stage

New Poll: Which Remaining 3D Movies In 2011 Are You Most Looking Forward To?

Plenty to choose from and many different genres so what do you think? TINTIN is still my number one but don't let that sway your opinion!! Voting is at the top of the page...

How about Martin Scorsese's HUGO? Looks absolutely brilliant! Or that new sci-fi thriller THE DARKEST HOUR that features those new aliens that DON'T look humaniod. How about Tarsem Singh's IMMORTALS?

3D animation is certainly enjoying the extra dimension with THE LION KING enjoying it's second round and sequels and spinoffs in the making in HAPPY FEET 2 and PUSS IN BOOTS. I think PIB will do absolutely amazing business.

Comments are open as always!

MUST WATCH: New UK Trailer For TINTIN!!

Wow! This new trailer for Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN looks stunning!! Amazing detail and the faces seem to be improving with every look.

We knew all along that TINTIN was kind of like a European Indiana Jones but now that we can see more action sequences I am suitably impressed. Now imagine that in 3D on the big screen! Oh yeah. Can't wait...

Here's the storyline:
Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures Present a 3D Motion Capture Film THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Steven Moffat and Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish. Starring Jamie Bell (BILLY ELLIOT , DEFIANCE) as Tintin, the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure, and Daniel Craig (QUANTUM OF SOLACE , DEFIANCE) as the nefarious Red Rackham.




If you will remember, I had TINTIN as my number 1 anticipated 3D movie of 2011 - and that still remains intact. More when I get it!!

MUST SEE: Amazing TINTIN Standee From Europe!

I haven't seen any of these over on this side of the pond yet - have you? Check out these awesome standees for TINTIN from Europe, sent to me by F, an awesome MarketSaw reader.

Click to enlarge the images.

Clearly Weta has nailed the uncanny valley - those eyes are just about perfect. Blend in cartoon-like figures yet actual skin pores and bloodshot eyes and we are in the adventure business!

I love the 3D is sweeping the world and that there is an absolutely HUGE market overseas for everything Hollywood produces. TINTIN is one of those worldwide properties that you KNOW will enjoy stunning box office in Europe. It may surprise a few folks and indeed may lead to more European properties being developed by the studios.

Anyway, it looks like we can't go wrong with this one. Spielberg and Jackson looked to have nailed it. With Spielberg's track record one can be assured that the story and adventure will be grand indeed.

More when I get it! THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN hits theaters in Europe starting October 26 (Belgium, Switzerland, France, Netherlands and the UK) and in the US and Canada on December 23.

MUST WATCH: WOW. New TINTIN Trailer Now Online! Check It!!

Stunning new (full length) trailer for TINTIN is now up and even though it is not in high definition yet, it amazes. Finally we get a better glimpse at what all the fuss has been about and it lives up to expectations! Mine at least - what do you think?

Certainly cut from the mold of a Spielberg adventure and weaving in the mainstay attributes of the classic Hergé comic series, TINTIN looks like a gorgeous creation.

Here's the storyline:
Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures Present a 3D Motion Capture Film THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Steven Moffat and Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish. Starring Jamie Bell (BILLY ELLIOT , DEFIANCE) as Tintin, the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure, and Daniel Craig (QUANTUM OF SOLACE , DEFIANCE) as the nefarious Red Rackham.

So have a look! HD versions should be out soon...



The uncanny valley seems to be well under control here I believe. I want to see more of the facial movements, especially the mouths - but so far so good! Love it!!

MUST SEE: New TINTIN Image!

Hey guys - when I get more TINTIN news I like to pass it on right away so here is a still image from the upcoming tentpole. Tintin is obviously nose deep into a book, potentially researching something for his adventure.

I like this shot much more than the earlier ones AND the trailer actually. It shows some fairly intense reading and comprehension going on which is a challenge to do when all you have is performance capture data to go on. Ask James Cameron and weta. But weta has this DOWN. I am so confident that all will be ok with the uncanny valley that I seldom even think about it not being achieved! Jamie Bell's emotions will be capped in this thing and from his body of work it looks like he can get the job done. Especially with Spielberg's tutelage.

More info when I get it! Look for TINTIN on December 23 (October 26 in Europe - a good move because Tintin is HUGE over there and will build massive anticipation over here).

MUST WATCH: First Trailer For TINTIN! Looks Amazing!!

Hello. WOW! Check out Tintin's face at the end of this! Emotion expressed through character's faces WILL be front and center in this movie!!

I think we will be truly seeing the very first valid attempt to display humans with human like emotions through performance capture. AVATAR was obviously first off the mark with its Na'vi, but TINTIN looks to have taken a huge leap (and risk) to tackle humans. It seems they have done well! Stunning!!

So enough warm up! Check out the trailer:



What do you think?? :-)

MUST SEE: New TINTIN Posters! Trailer Coming Tomorrow?

Ahhh, finally! I just landed in Vancouver (Screen Gems has invited me on a set visit for UNDERWORLD 4 - YES - a native 3D production; more on this soon) and have discovered that two posters have been released for Steve Spielberg's (and Peter Jackson's) upcoming MEGA blockbuster, TINTIN!

I simply adore these quality posters. This is what the movies are all about! Intrigue. Adventure. And of course S3D and cutting edge movie technology!

The first image is courtesy of Empire, while the second comes to us via AICN. Both have Tintin and Snowy (the dog) superimposed on different backgrounds - both are amazing. You can start to get the feeling for the emotions that Tintin will display in the movies from his look here.

Apparently Empire is promising the first trailer for us tomorrow! This is the moment we have been waiting for for so long - Spielberg and Jackson's TINTIN in action. Can't believe the time has finally come. To think of seeing this and subsequent trailers in 3D pre-rolling in theaters during the coming months moistens the eye... :-)

...and have they axed "THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN" sub-line? Hmmm. Perhaps, seeing as this is the first of the series. Does this bode well for sequels if true? I think they will keep the sub-line in personally. We'll see!

The Top Ten Most Anticipated 3D Movies Of 2011

We have come a long way haven't we? From educating the masses that modern 3D is not about red / blue cardboard glasses and headaches to raving about the number 1 movie of all time!

Let's not forget 2010 just yet - It was a standout year for a number of reasons:
- We learned the hard way that not all 3D conversions will be well done (CLASH OF THE TITANS), yet it was still successful ($493m).
- We learned that some 3D conversions can be spectacular.
- We also learned that native 3D is still the best way to achieve stereoscopic goals.
- AVATAR achieved outrageous box office success, outdistancing the nearest non-Cameron competitor (THE RETURN OF THE KING) by almost three times. Then its subsequent DVD release broke records again!
- TOY STORY 3 broke $1 billion ($1,063,000,000).
- ALICE IN WONDERLAND broke $1 billion ($1,024,000,000).
- 3D screens have exploded everywhere. Of the 39,380 screens in the US in March, 2010 - 3,378 are 3D. 10% and growing!
- Even today, 5 of the top 7 movies are 3D. Impressive because not all screens are 3D capable yet! Indeed, two weekends ago the top three movies were 3D: TRON:LEGACY, YOGI BEAR and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWNTREADER.
- More and more directors are coming aboard! Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog, Michael Bay to name a few. It is a better question to ask which directors are NOT shooting in 3D these days. Like Christopher Nolan.
- Huge announcements that THE HOBBIT movies, STAR WARS movies, SPIDER-MAN reboot and Marvel's upcoming slate will be all in 3D.
- We learn that AVATAR 2 and 3 are a go with Cameron attached for his next directing projects.
- Not only has 3D movies become a part of our culture, but so has 3D gaming! The stereoscopic 3D game CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS sets records worldwide (Over $1b).
- 3DTV truly was born in 2010. Multiple 3D channels have been launched including Next3DTV, ESPN 3D, DirecTV with 3 new 3D channels and Discovery / IMAX / Sony teamed up to give us new 3D content for history, space, exploration, adventure, children's programming, science and technology. Don't forget that the 3D movies that were once in theaters and select classics are available in Blu-ray 3D too.

So with that, let's move on to 2011! The sheer number of top quality 3D projects for this year is astounding and I had a hard time selecting the bottom five. Top five were relatively easy though! Looking forward to your debate...

MARKETSAW'S TOP TEN MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES OF 2011:

10. KUNG FU PANDA: THE KABOOM OF DOOM (May 27, 2011)
The first of this franchise did very well at the box office despite the fact this was the second to last 2D effort from DWA. I am expecting a huge opening here, rivaling CARS 2. It was a toss up between these two animations for the 10th spot, but I am looking more towards seeing the panda again. Hopefully any CARS 2 story issues have been resolved!

9. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (May 20, 2011)
On a somewhat tighter budget leash this time around, Bruckheimer has is ace up his sleeve with Johnny Depp as Captain Jack. The 3D installment for the franchise should reinvigorate the energy.

8. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 (July 15, 2011)
I am anxious to see what is possible with a Potter movie that is totally 3D! We missed seeing the first one as time ran out on them, but this final installment should be done right. We'll see!

7. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (July 22, 2011)
The more appealing Marvel choice for me this summer is CAPTAIN AMERICA over THOR. I think the project has quality written all over it and it needs to be successful to set up a run for THE AVENGERS. I say Chris Evans nails it.

6. SANCTUM (Feb 4, 2011)
What can I say? SANCTUM is a James Cameron production which means incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship. 3D is ideal for underwater adventure so I have a great deal of anticipation for this one.

5. GREEN LANTERN (June 17, 2011)
Ryan Reynolds looks perfect for the role and despite what some say about how the trailer looks, I am 100% for it. I think this is the top super hero movie of the year. Go see it.

4. CONTAGION (Oct 21, 2011)
Steven Soderbergh has been hard at work on this thing for quite some time now. Starring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lawrence Fishburne I am expecting nothing less than a summer, edge of your seat yet cranial blockbuster.

3. HUGO CABRET (Dec 9, 2011)
Martin Scorsese's first 3D movie! What more do I need to say?? Can't wait.

2. TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (July 1, 2011)
I have been somewhat hard on Bay in the past but I have come full circle. I think he has matured in his career and quite possibly this will be the first of many critically embraced movies. Certainly far better than TF2. The fact that Bay is merging his style of shooting with native 3D is enough for me. But promises of a better story is so enticing. The trailer looks awesome!

1. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN (Dec 28, 2011)
A no-brainer. Steven Spielberg. Peter Jackson. Working together with AVATAR technology with one of the world's most adored animation characters of all time. You can COUNT on this one being the cinematic event of the year. Without reservation.

Honorable Mention: CARS 2, THE GREEN HORNET, THOR, PRIEST, DRIVE ANGRY, HALLOWEEN 3D, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, RISE OF THE APES

My hardest decision was not including CARS 2 in my top ten. There were rumors of story issues which I am sure John Lasseter has worked out, but still personally, I am looking forward to KUNG FU PANDA slightly more at this point.

THE GREEN HORNET may surprise me! It has certainly gained some appeal with me over the past few weeks with their marketing so we will see. Not on my top ten list though.

I love the tandem of director Patrick Lussier / writer Todd Farmer and they have two top quality movies coming out in 2011: DRIVE ANGRY and HALLOWEEN 3D. I am definitely looking forward to seeing both of these but unfortunately the competition on my list this year is fierce.

THOR and RISE OF THE APES may surprise as well.

Let me know what you think! What changes would YOU make?

Sources: Variety | Box Office Mojo

More TINTIN Images From Spielberg And Jackson!!

Got freshly scanned images for you (filmsactu via /Film) from that Empire Magazine edition that is featuring director Steven Spielberg's and producer Peter Jackson's THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN!

Click images to enlarge...

The first shot has Thompson and Thompson (twins played by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) with the pickpocket thief Silk (played by Toby Jones).

The second photo has Barnaby (played by Joe Starr) is a decidedly film noir scene! LOVE it. Oh man is this thing going to look great in 3D. I wish I could have seen Thomas Jane's DARK COUNTRY as it was a live action film noir in 3D - but Sony didn't theatrically distribute it. But I digress...

Finally we have a shot of the trio marching through a desert with bleached bones by their side - not the best omen of things to come!

TINTIN is set to hit theaters Christmas 2011 (USA / Canada) and various dates in October/November 2011 for European countries.

Note that these characters remain faithful to the designs of Hergé which I believe is key to winning the hearts of overseas markets, especially Europe. Stunning work! Hats off to those involved - you know who you are. *cough* Weta :-)

More when I get it!

UPDATE: Full First Look At TINTIN And More!

Empire finally released the whole first look image from THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN and it looks striking! Exactly what I had anticipated from the project in fact. Tintin (Jamie Bell) looks like a photo-real representation of what Herge himself drew!

Click images to enlarge...

Further we have another two shots from the movie to have a look at the first is a look at Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) and the second is Tintin, Haddock and Snowy looking stranded on a capsized lifeboat. At least it looks like a lifeboat. Could be a DOREY though. ;-)

Says Peter Jackson: “With live action you’re going to have actors pretending to be Captain Haddock and Tintin. You’d be casting people to look like them. It’s not really going to feel like the Tintin Hergé drew. It’s going to be somewhat different. With CGI we can bring Hergé’s world to life, keep the stylised caricatured faces, keep everything looking like Hergé’s artwork, but make it photo-real.”

Jackson continues on talking about what we might see in his directorial TINTIN: “One of my favourites is The Seven Crystal Balls, so that’s the one I’ve always been thinking of,” he says. “I also really like the Eastern European ones, the Balkan ones like King Ottokar’s Sceptre and The Calculus Affair. I think it’s a terrific setting for a thriller, the weird Balkan politics and the mysterious secret service agents. I think the Moon ones are terrific, but they’d be good for the third or fourth Tintin film, if we get that far. We want to keep his feet on the ground just a little bit longer.”

Says Steven Spielberg: “The first part of the film, which is the most mysterious part, certainly owes much to not only film noir but the whole German Brechtian theatre — some of our night scenes and our action scenes are very contrasty. But at the same time the movie is a hell of an adventure.”

With the creative genius behind this feature, the characters of Herge and the second-to-none delivery of Weta on effects (AVATAR anyone?) we are sure to see a spectacular movie and sequels! The worldwide response will be staggering too. Can't wait.

More when I get it!