Why the 39-Episode Indiana Jones Meets Agatha Christie Series Beats Spielberg’s Game
Tintin Before Spielberg’s Film
Tintin was already a major European character before Steven Spielberg brought him to American movie audiences. His 2011 animated film starred Jamie Bell as Tintin and featured Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock.
Earlier adaptations included live-action and stop-motion films, as well as television shows. A 1960s series used four-minute episodes, while the early-1990s Adventures of Tintin ran for three seasons with half-hour installments.
A Closer Fit For Television
Hergé’s comics pair worldwide adventures with intricate mysteries, recalling Indiana Jones stories and Agatha Christie puzzles. The article argues that this mix made Tintin especially suited to an episodic format.
The series had more time than a feature film to follow Tintin, his dog Snowy, Captain Haddock, and the comic duo Thomson and Thompson. Its episodes could also linger on everyday encounters and quieter moments between investigations.
How The Film Compares
Spielberg’s film is described as a visually rich adventure and buddy comedy that drew on the original Indiana Jones trilogy’s pulpy spirit. It used action and fast pacing to bring Hergé’s characters to a broader audience.
The animated show is characterized as a closer adaptation, with more space for the personalities and routines at the center of the comics. The article says Spielberg’s movie also made room for character scenes, but the television format offered more opportunities.
A Sequel Moves Forward
A Tintin sequel has been discussed since the first film’s release. In early 2026, Peter Jackson said he was developing a script with Fran Walsh; in mid-2026, he confirmed it would be his next project, and last month he said the script was finished.
The article cautions that earlier expectations have not always been fulfilled and says a release remains at least a couple of years away. It also notes that the production technology could let Bell and Serkis reprise their roles despite the time that has passed.
Key points
- The early-1990s Adventures of Tintin ran for three seasons of half-hour episodes.
- The series is described as a closer adaptation of Hergé’s comics than Spielberg’s 2011 film.
- Peter Jackson is developing a sequel script with Fran Walsh and plans to direct.
- The sequel’s release is still at least a couple of years away.