Spielberg to tackle adventures of Tintin

Tintin, theheroic young journalist and adventurer created by Belgian cartoonist Herg, is set to take tothe silver screen again this time with the help of Steven Spielberg.

Spielberg and hiscompany DreamWorks have committed to produce at least one Tintin movie and are gearing up for pre-production on the film, Nick Rodwell,head of Herg's MoulinsartStudios, whichholds the rights to Tintin,said Thursday.

"If movie No. 1 works, we will continue," Rodwell said, addingthat it is still unclear which ofTintin's adventures depicted in 24 books will be filmed.

A completed movie could show up in theatres by 2009 or 2010, Rodwell told a press conference.

Since his debut in 1929, Tintin has enthralled comic readerswithhis ongoing adventures. In 2004, fansaround the world celebrated his 75th birthday.

In addition to the comic book stories and theTintin magazine, which was published from 1946 until the early 1990s, the belovedcharacter was brought to life in radio dramas, a handful of animated and live action films, two television series, several stage shows and some video games.

Discussion about creating a new Tintin film has swirled for close to 25 years. A plan for a live action adventure was shelved after the death of creator Georges Remi, who was better known by his pen name Herg, in March 1983.