While for a big chunk of the world "The Adventures Of Tintin" is old news, having arrived in theaters throughout October and November, for those of us in North America, the film still remains the holiday season treat we're eager to unwrap. The classic comic being brought to life from the minds of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson is tantalizing enough, but there will be one more reason you'll want to scoot to theaters when it opens in December.
Speaking recently with Digital Spy, Frodo (aka Elijah Wood) hinted at a teaser trailer on the way for the highly anticipated "The Hobbit," with plans to stamp it in front of 'Tintin.' "I have not seen it. I have spoken to people about the trailer, I have a sense of what's going to be in it," he said. "I think it's going to be in front of 'Tintin' when it's released in the States."
Certainly, giving audiences an early big screen taste of "The Hobbit" is a big lure to get asses in the seats, and that has always been a concern for the studio in regards to 'Tintin.' While the character is well-known and beloved around the world, particularly in French-speaking nations (and that's why Quebec will get the movie first on December 9th), to everybody else, he's a brand new creation. And while the film has done impressive numbers across the pond — taking in over $200 million so far and the biggest opening of any movie in France this year — whether or not it can be duplicated stateside is still up in the air. Add to that competition from "War Horse," another Steven Spielberg movie opening around the same time, and odds against 'Tintin' are even higher. And in case you're wondering, there is some audience overlap, as that film is the World War I movie you can take your tween-age kids to see.
And here's a strange final note of related trivia: The New Zealand Herald reports that Peter Jackson and the recently freed West Memphis Three member Damien Echols went to get matching tattoos. While the cause of the WM3 has drawn many supporters, it looks like Jackson is taking his to the next level. Take that Henry Rollins!
"The Adventures Of Tintin" opens on December 21st.
