New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson has returned to the Cannes spotlight, not only as one of cinema’s most celebrated fantasy directors but also as an artist preparing to revisit another beloved adventure universe nearly 15 years after it first reached the big screen. During a masterclass at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Jackson revealed that he is working on a new 'Tintin' film, which will serve as a follow-up to Steven Spielberg’s 2011 animated feature 'The Adventures of Tintin'. "The deal was that Steven directs one and I direct another," Jackson told audiences. "So Steven did his film, then for 15 years I haven't made mine. I feel very awkward about that."
Jackson mentioned that he had continued working on the screenplay during his time at the festival, even while attending ceremonies and promotional events. He said, "I've been working with Fran on another Tintin script. I was writing it in the hotel room here," referring to his longtime creative collaborator and partner Fran Walsh.
The director expressed deep attachment to the world of 'Tintin', a beloved young reporter created by Belgian cartoonist Herge whose stories such as 'Tintin in Tibet' and 'The Blue Lotus' have remained widely read since the 1930s. Jackson's announcement at Cannes became one of the major talking points, highlighting his career transformation from a low-budget horror filmmaker in New Zealand to one of Hollywood’s most commercially successful directors.
At Tuesday's opening ceremony, American actor Elijah Wood reunited with Jackson on stage to present him with an honorary Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement. Jackson responded with characteristic humour, calling the honour a "stunning surprise." Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, said he was "far from the only person whose life has been changed by Peter Jackson."
Now 64 years old, Jackson has spent decades building a career defined by ambitious productions, large-scale visual effects, and literary adaptations. His journey began as a child when he watched the 1933 version of 'King Kong' on television. He entered the film industry with the low-budget horror film 'Bad Taste', which later screened at Cannes and was sold internationally. Jackson gained wider recognition with the 1994 drama 'Heavenly Creatures', starring Kate Winslet, before securing backing for 'The Lord of the Rings', a trilogy filmed entirely in New Zealand that went on to earn critical acclaim, major box office success, and 17 Academy Awards.
Since then, he has returned to Middle Earth with the 'Hobbit' films and also directed projects including 'King Kong' and the World War I documentary series 'They Shall Not Grow Old'.
