'Tintin' gets release date

HOLLYWOOD, May 29 (UPI) -- Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment say "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" will hit U.S. theaters Dec. 23, 2011.

The 3-D motion-capture feature film was directed by Steven Spielberg, and produced by Spielberg, Peter Jackson and Kathleen Kennedy.

Paramount is releasing the film in the United States, and distributing it in Asia, Australia, the United Kingdom and all other English-speaking territories. Sony Pictures Releasing International is handling Continental Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America and India.

Starring Jamie Bell as Tintin, the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure, the movie is expected to open internationally in late October and early November 2011. The films are based on the iconic Tintin comic-book character, created by Georges Remi, who is better known by his pen name "Herge."

The film also features the voice talents of Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Gad Elmaleh, Toby Jones and Mackenzie Crook.

"The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" is a Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures co-production, based on a screenplay by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish.

The second feature in the series is scheduled to be directed by Jackson.

Paramount and Sony said there is the potential for a third film, as well.