Tintin sequel – Peter Jackson says his “Tintin” sequel is actively being written for Spielberg, and compares Andy Serkis’ “Hunt for Gollum” to “Joker” while reflecting on industry shifts.
Peter Jackson has Cannes buzzing with updates that pull his long pause in feature directing back into focus, with the “Tintin” sequel now actively taking shape—and “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” receiving fresh creative comparisons.
At the Cannes Film Festival. Jackson said he is in the middle of writing the screenplay for his long-delayed “The Adventures of Tintin” follow-up alongside Fran Walsh. describing the project as an “active real thing.” He also shared that he is balancing the practical grind of drafting pages with an ongoing production schedule: he’s currently working while staying in a hotel “down the road. ” sending script pages to New Zealand. and continuing the draft week by week.
Jackson said the writing process involves sending material onward to Steven Spielberg for review. noting that Spielberg may offer feedback and suggesting the team will iterate “backwards and forwards” until they reach a draft they feel good about.. He added that the story begins exactly where the last Tintin film ends—while signaling that the continuation’s direction will be distinct in how it moves forward.
For “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. ” Jackson framed the film’s approach through an unexpected creative lens. drawing parallels to Todd Phillips’ “Joker. ” specifically the version associated with Joaquin Phoenix.. He said the inspiration came from the way that “Joker” explored psychological interiority while still advancing a larger story. and he explained that the “Hunt for Gollum” team is drawing from the appendices. but presenting the material from an internal Gollum perspective.
While Jackson joked that he has no need to get inside Gollum’s head—playfully contrasting himself with Andy Serkis’ performance style—he tied the method to a craft problem the film faces: taking written notes by Tolkien and turning them into sequences that can be filmed from a specific point of view.. In his view, Serkis is well positioned to embody that internal focus.
Jackson also addressed how his involvement will look on the “Hunt for Gollum.” He reaffirmed that his arrangement with Spielberg remains intact for the Tintin sequel. where roles are expected to swap producer and director responsibilities as originally agreed.. Meanwhile. he said he is comfortable stepping back from directing the Gollum film itself. in part because the movie will bridge the arc between his Hobbit trilogy and “The Lord of the Rings.”
Pressed on whether he should direct “The Hunt for Gollum. ” Jackson stood by the choice he made for the project’s creative leadership.. He said he believes it’s more interesting that Andy Serkis makes the film. specifically for a story centered on Gollum’s addiction and internal struggles.. Jackson’s reasoning was straightforward: if he thought he could make a better version of that film himself. he would. but he felt Serkis would bring a more compelling angle.
Jackson’s remarks also echoed a prior moment from his career. when he publicly discussed Guillermo del Toro being named director for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” in 2008—before the decision shifted months into production.. Jackson had earlier told a Cannes audience that “Warners. ” for reasons he described as not greenlighting the film. contributed to the change. a history that adds weight to how he talks about projects and directing assignments.
Beyond the upcoming films, Jackson used Cannes to reflect on how the industry itself has tightened over the years.. He described the filmmaking landscape he knew from roughly two decades ago. when fewer studios and more wealthy independents helped finance a higher volume of releases.. He contrasted that with today’s structure. where he suggested the number of major studios has shrunk. and the result is fewer opportunities for filmmakers who would otherwise have been able to make movies.
In the same vein. Jackson lamented the decline of physical media and what he sees as the cultural disappearance of extended cuts and behind-the-scenes featurettes.. He argued that once home video became smaller and more niche. studios became less inclined to invest in extra material—meaning fewer extended editions and fewer deep dives that had once served as a continuing reference for aspiring creators.
He pointed to the “Lord of the Rings” DVD experience. saying the hours of behind-the-scenes content were something many viewers returned to repeatedly. and that those extras inspired people to pursue filmmaking.. Jackson said that kind of regularly revisited supplementary material is “gone now. ” calling it a genuine loss. while also noting that the industry has historically moved through major shifts—comparing today’s changes to how people once reacted to the arrival of sound and later to color.
Jackson’s evolution from directing his own films to helping shape other filmmakers’ projects also surfaced in the discussion.. He said that after the DVD era. his experience expanded: he wrote and produced Christian Rivers’ “Mortal Engines” in 2018. and later produced Kenji Kamiyama’s animated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” in 2024.
For “The Hunt for Gollum. ” Jackson described his role as closer to an executive producer and a supportive presence rather than an all-controlling creative force.. He said there are producers actually making the film. and he positions himself as a friend to bring comfort using his past experience. stressing that he doesn’t step into creative directions unless asked.. In his words. he will be available for conversations—if Serkis reaches out—so the filmmaker leading the project can keep making his film.
As Cannes continues to accelerate with announcements and premieres. Jackson’s comments offer a rare look behind the curtain: one sequel he says is being written actively now. another he says is being shaped through Tolkien’s appendices and Gollum’s interior struggle. and a director reflecting on how Hollywood’s changing structure reshapes which stories—and which filmmakers—get the spotlight.
Peter Jackson Tintin sequel The Hunt for Gollum Andy Serkis Steven Spielberg Cannes Film Festival behind-the-scenes