Many have been wondering how the "Tintin" movie in development is going and according to French magazine Capital, it might be further along than expected.
Seems that Steven Spielberg will produce and or possibly direct not one but potentially three adaptations of the famous comic according to the mag. The "deal is nearly signed" and shooting is aiming to begin next winter for a release in 2006.
The three movies to be made apparently will be based on two of the two-part comics (the space one is considered too "old fashioned") and one using two comics with the same characters. Thus it'll be the sunken treasure adventure "The Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure", the China/Tibet drug trade and Yeti antics of "The Blue Lotus" and "Tintin in Tibet", and my personal fave - the Incan mystery "The Seven Crystal Balls" and "Prisoners of the Sun".
Meanwhile closer to the US, regular "Birth of the Pink Panther" scooper 'Clifton Sleigh' is back with news fans hanging out for this film franchise's rebirth will probably like:
"My source claims
the character of Pon-Ton, the Chinese detective and sparring partner for Inspector Clouseau that Shawn Levy claims will feature in 'Birth' was a ploy to deflect attention from negotiations with both Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat for the role of Cato. The source is adamant Cato is in the film and Pon-Ton was a joke concocted by Steve Martin in irritation over the surprising number of leaks on this project. It should also be noted that my source insists that Mr. Martin is late in delivering his rewrite making the April/May start date for shooting highly speculative at best."
Thanks to 'Antoine' & 'CS'
