Tintin 2: The Great Hollywood Mystery – 2025 Update on Peter Jackson’s Sequel

Do you remember the thrill of 2011? Sitting in a dark theater, watching Hergé’s classic art style brought to life with a revolutionary new sheen. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn was pure, unadulterated cinematic magic. Directed by Steven Spielberg, with Peter Jackson producing, it was a breathtaking adventure that perfectly captured the spirit of the comics. It ended on a cliffhanger, with Tintin and Captain Haddock holding a map, ready for their next journey.

The plan was clear and publicly stated: Spielberg directed the first, and the legendary Peter Jackson would take the helm for the second. And then… silence. A deafening, decade-plus-long silence.

For years, fans have been caught in a loop of hope and disappointment. Every few years, a rumor surfaces, an actor gives a hopeful quote, and then… nothing. It’s become one of modern cinema’s greatest “what ifs.” But is it still a “what if”? Or is there still a flicker of hope for the Adventures of Tintin sequel?

We’re now in mid-2025, and it’s time to put on our reporter hats, just like Tintin would. Let’s investigate the clues, sift through the evidence, and figure out what on Earth is going on with the most anticipated sequel that never was. 🤔

1. The Original Promise: What Happened to Jackson & Spielberg’s Plan?

To understand the frustration, we have to go back to the beginning. The Spielberg-Jackson collaboration was a dream team. When The Secret of the Unicorn was released, the two filmmaking titans were open about their grand vision: a multi-film franchise.

Spielberg himself confirmed the plan to multiple outlets. The idea was simple and brilliant: he would direct the first film, and Jackson, the master of epic world-building with The Lord of the Rings, would direct the second. The script for the sequel was reportedly already being worked on by writer Anthony Horowitz even before the first film hit theaters.

The intended story for the sequel? A two-part adaptation of one of Tintin’s most beloved adventures: The Seven Crystal Balls and Prisoners of the Sun. Everything was perfectly aligned. The first film was a critical and financial success, grossing over $374 million worldwide and winning a Golden Globe. The sequel was a guaranteed green light. So what happened?

2. The 2025 Status Report: Is the Tintin Sequel Officially Cancelled?

This is the million-dollar question, and the answer is surprisingly complex. No, the Adventures of Tintin sequel is not officially cancelled. However, it is trapped in what can only be described as development purgatory.

Throughout the years, Peter Jackson has been the main reason for the delay, but not for lack of passion. Immediately after Tintin, he dove headfirst into his Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014). After that epic undertaking, he shifted focus to more personal and technologically innovative projects, including the stunning WWI documentary They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) and the Beatles documentary series Get Back (2021).

In a 2018 interview with Polygon, Jackson reaffirmed his commitment, stating, “I’m intending to. I’ve got a script that I like… It’s one of my films that I’m most looking forward to getting back into.”

But here we are in 2025, and there’s been no movement. Recent reports and industry chatter suggest Jackson’s focus remains on projects with his visual effects company, Wētā FX, and other documentary work. Spielberg has, of course, gone on to direct multiple blockbusters. The project hasn’t been killed; it just seems to have no one with the time to actively steer the ship. It remains a passion project on the back burner, waiting for a very, very busy schedule to clear.

3. The Script is Written: Unpacking “Prisoners of the Sun”

Perhaps the most tantalizing part of this whole saga is that a finished script exists. And it’s not just any story; it’s an adaptation of Prisoners of the Sun. This story arc, which begins with The Seven Crystal Balls, is a fan favorite and a perfect choice for a sequel.

Here’s a quick taste of what we’re missing:

• A Darker, More Mysterious Tone: The story starts with a bizarre, inexplicable illness falling upon members of an expedition that returned from Peru. They fall into a deep coma, with shards of a crystal ball found near them. It’s a genuine mystery with a supernatural edge.
• High-Stakes Kidnapping: Professor Calculus is abducted, and Tintin and Captain Haddock trace the kidnappers to South America.
• An Epic Journey: The adventure takes them from the Peruvian coast, through dense jungles, and high into the Andes mountains as they search for a hidden Inca temple.
• New, Memorable Characters: We would meet Zorrino, a young indigenous boy who guides them, and face off against the remnants of a proud, secretive Incan civilization.

This plot is cinematic gold. It has mystery, action, exotic locations, and real emotional stakes. It takes the grounded adventure of the first film and injects a thrilling dose of ancient curses and lost civilizations. Knowing that a script for this exact story is just sitting on a shelf is what makes the wait so agonizing for fans.

4. Will the Original Cast Return? (What Jamie Bell & Andy Serkis Say)

A sequel this long after the original always raises questions about the cast. Would the actors still be willing and able to return? In this case, the answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Jamie Bell, who did a brilliant job as Tintin, has consistently expressed his desire to return. More vocally, Andy Serkis, the king of performance capture and our beloved Captain Haddock, has been the sequel’s biggest champion in the press.

In an interview from late 2023, Serkis once again confirmed the project is not dead. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said he believes Jackson will eventually make it, calling the script “amazing” and joking that he and Jamie Bell might be on crutches by the time it gets made, but they’d still do it. This unwavering enthusiasm from the main cast proves the creative energy is still there, just waiting to be tapped.

5. The Wētā Factor: Is Technology the Real Reason for the Delay?

While scheduling is the official reason, there might be another layer. The first film was a technological marvel, pushing Wētā’s performance capture technology to its limits to create that unique, hyper-realistic storybook look.

Peter Jackson is a relentless innovator. It’s entirely possible that he’s not just waiting for his schedule to clear, but for the technology to evolve even further. He may have a specific vision for Prisoners of the Sun—perhaps involving complex environmental rendering for the jungles and mountains or more nuanced facial performances—that he feels current tech can’t quite achieve to his standards. Given his work on projects like Avatar: The Way of Water through Wētā FX, it’s clear his focus is on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The sequel might be a victim of its director’s own perfectionism and pioneering spirit.

6. Why the World Still Needs a Tintin Sequel

In a media landscape dominated by superheroes and sprawling fantasy epics, a film like The Adventures of Tintin feels more vital than ever. It represents a different kind of blockbuster: a smart, globe-trotting adventure mystery.

It’s a story that encourages curiosity, bravery, and standing up for what’s right without needing a cape or a superpower. The relationship between the earnest Tintin and the cynical, drunk-with-a-heart-of-gold Captain Haddock is one of cinema’s great friendships. Their dynamic is the core of the series, and there are so many more adventures for them to share. We deserve to see that friendship continue on the big screen. 🗺️🎬

Conclusion: A Lost Treasure or a Voyage on Hold?

After digging through all the evidence, the verdict is clear: The Adventures of Tintin sequel is not a lost cause. It is a treasure chest that has been locked for a long time, but Peter Jackson still holds the key. The passion from the cast, the existence of a brilliant script, and Jackson’s stated intentions mean the project is dormant, not dead.

The wait has been frustrating, but all hope is not lost. It remains one of the most exciting “on-hold” projects in Hollywood. We can only hope that one day soon, Jackson will find the time and the spark to finally take us all on that long-promised journey to the Temple of the Sun.

Would you still line up for a Tintin sequel? Let us know in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Tintin 2 officially cancelled? No. As of mid-2025, the film is not officially cancelled. Key figures like director Peter Jackson and actor Andy Serkis maintain it’s a project they still intend to make, but it’s been subject to major, long-term scheduling delays.

2. When is the Tintin 2 release date? There is currently no release date for the Adventures of Tintin sequel. Given that it has not entered active production, a release is likely still many years away, if it happens.

3. What would the Tintin sequel be about? The sequel is planned to be an adaptation of Hergé’s two-part story, The Seven Crystal Balls and Prisoners of the Sun. The script, written by Anthony Horowitz, reportedly follows this plot, which involves a mysterious illness, the kidnapping of Professor Calculus, and a journey to a hidden Inca temple in Peru.

4. Will Jamie Bell and Andy Serkis return? Yes, both actors have repeatedly and enthusiastically stated they are eager to return to their roles as Tintin and Captain Haddock, respectively.