Tintinology (formally Tintin Movie .org) is an independent news and analysis service on the Tintin movie and the works of Herge. (c) Chris Tregenza, Tintinology.poosk.com

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Tintin 16?

According to Andy Serkis, Tintin’s ageless character has been given an age. Of course it’s possible that he was only guessing the age, or that for the movie he’s 16 but the age will never actually show up. But all we know for sure is what Andy said in a recent interview about his character, Captain Haddock.

“When we meet Captain Haddock, he’s a chaotic, self-pitying shipwreck of a human being who has completely imploded and is carrying somewhere in his mind the guilt of the sins of his fathers and forefathers. He’s basically softened and numbed the pain with alcohol. He’s a big drinker.”

Serkis then commented on Haddock’s relationship with Tintin, the central relationship of the movie.

“It’s a bizarre relationship,” he said. “Tintin is this young, driven reporter with a very strong moral compass. He’s 16 years old. And basically, Haddock is unable to move forward as a human being. Eventually he begins to become more lucid about his past, and Tintin draws a kind of story out of him. Haddock becomes quite affectionate toward Tintin. “

On Haddock’s personality:

“The thing that’s really appealing about Haddock is that he’s very visceral. Underneath all that salt, his heart is 100 per cent in the right place. If he’s angry, he’s 100 per cent angry. He’s full of rage. He charges 100 miles an hour down the wrong alley. If he cries, he weeps and weeps. It’s a very full-blooded character.”

That’s the Haddock we all kmow and love! I’m interested as to why Haddock is guilty though…in the books he seems to only be guilty because he’s drunk all the time. Maybe his family is sort of like the Gates family in National Treasure, and have been looking for this treasure for years. As far as Tintin’s age goes, it doesn’t really matter too much what age they give him…I just wouldn’t highlight it in the movie. But it makes sense. If they had to tackle the issue of why Tintin never writes anything for his paper, why his only friend up to The Crab with the Golden Claws is a dog, and why he seems to have no contact with a boss, they might as well tackle something as basic as how old he is.

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11 Responses to “Tintin 16?”

  1. Kalli Says:

    I’ve never really considered Tintin’s age.

    When I read the books for the first time (being a kid myself at the time) I always saw Tintin as a grown-up. (But then, even 16 year olds where adults in my eyes) And it hasn’t really changed. I mean, he lives alone. Makes his own decisions. Travels abroad when he wants to. Drinks wine in some books when he’s offered. Follows criminals that are a little afraid of him. Is friends with police men. Now when I think of it, he feels more like an adult 20-25 year old.

    That said, he lives within the logic of the Tintin world and I accept that logic. I don’t have the need to know how old he is, he’s Tintin.
    (“That young man. What’s his name? That’s Tintin!”)

    But I can totally understand the need for the actors to build a story around the characters, age, familly, relationships, background, interests.. to have something to build the characters on.

    So Tintin’s 16? Great!
    Kalli

    July 31st, 2011 at 2:43 pm
  2. Kalli Says:

    Here’s a youtube video that shows the test Weta did for Spielberg with Snowy and Peter Jackson as Haddock. But it’s likely they will take this video of youtube so maybe the link will die in a near future!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaM5N1e5J3s

    July 31st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
  3. Proman Says:

    Thanks so much Kalli! That video is hillarious.

    IBy the way, I wouldn’t be suprised if 16 is just a number Andy Serkis came up with himself just to ground his own character and his relationship with Tintin. I don’t think there is any thing specific about Tintint’s age rather thana notion of him being a young man.

    July 31st, 2011 at 4:47 pm
  4. Augwich Says:

    I agree with Proman – more than likely the age was just a number to represent his general age. To me, Tintin is ageless (both in the comic book sense, and for the character himself). Attaching an age to him is perhaps a bad thing in my mind. He doesn’t need an age. He is just the young reporter.

    July 31st, 2011 at 6:05 pm
  5. Louise A Says:

    Yeah, Tintin doesn’t need an age – as Augwich says it’s slightly stifling for the general ambiguity of his character to pin it down. I remember in the Empire Tintin article last year where Jamie Bell said that to play Tintin he was asking himself all these meaningful, character motivational questions like ‘Where are his parents?’ and ‘Why is his only friend a dog?’ but then realised these questions were wrong and Tintin should be as blank as possible in order for us to project ourselves and our own ideals onto him.

    But it’s true that choosing it as a character gauge is perfectly acceptable – just as long as they don’t bash us over the head with the fact, I’m happy!

    July 31st, 2011 at 9:39 pm
  6. Emily Says:

    Herge actually gave Tintin an age during an interview in the 70′s. He’s 14-15 in the first book, then 19 by the final story. It’s quoted in one of Michael Farr’s books.

    The more you know.

    August 1st, 2011 at 1:33 am
  7. hey809 Says:

    i figured hes more like 19-22 years

    August 1st, 2011 at 3:16 am
  8. Britto Says:

    Bad news for Brazilian fans of Tintin: The premiere of the film was postponed from November 11 to January 20, 2012! Great injustice!

    August 1st, 2011 at 12:07 pm
  9. Kalli Says:

    Whoah..That’s just mean! Why would they do that? It’s October 26 in some European countries. That’s a mighty long time from January 20.

    BTW. This link is still active (video with the Weta test)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5nwVu2psbI

    August 1st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
  10. Stephen Says:

    Augh! Britto, that’s so sad! So sorry…I kind of know how you feel. I am currently in the USA, and will be until January, so I have to see the film with it’s December release date…on the plus side, I’ll see it in English. In Spain I couldn’t do that.

    August 1st, 2011 at 3:55 pm
  11. Jonathan P Says:

    It would be boring if we all agreed and I didn’t mean to cause to offence. Admittedly, it is slightly pointless of me to bother criticising the film on a website devoted to that very film.

    I wish I was looking forward to the film as much as everyone one else on here but I’m just not. I probably won’t even watch it but yes that is my choice.

    To me, Tintin is the books. I actually also hated the cartoons as it goes. But hey ho. The new film just looks like an elaborate computer game to me (Haddock with a bazooka? bodes well…), but clearly alot of people are excited so fair play to them.

    Just to clarify a few things: yes these are my real views and I haven’t simply adopted them as a stylistic gesture. I haven’t actually watched the polar express – why would I?

    For an example of a film which is 100% loyal to a comic book (or graphic novel if you’d rather) – The Watchmen. Pure genius. Frame by frame reproduction and somehow manages to enhance the book.

    Anyway – that’s enough from me. Enjoy the film when it comes out and once again didn’t mean any offence.

    August 4th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
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