JACKSON ACTION

PETER JACKSON HASN’T MADE A FILM SINCE 2014, BUT HE’S NOT BEEN SLACKING. HE UPDATES EMPIRE ON HIS MANY PROJECTS

TINTIN 2

Having recently spoken to Steven Spielberg, the über-directing duo plan a sequel to The Adventures Of Tintin to be written next year, reputedly based on the Prisoners Of The Sun storyline, Jackson’s favourite. “Possibly even doing mo-cap next year,” he says. “But no film is a real project until you’ve got the money from the studio.”

THE DAMBUSTERS

“I’m thinking about ways to get that off the ground, if you’ll excuse the pun,” laughs Jackson. His retelling of the pivotal World War II bouncing-bombing raids has taken forever. He was going to direct, then Rivers, using a script by Stephen Fry and a set of full-sized model Lancasters. Still, Jackson is determined The Dambusters will take flight in the next two years.

BAD TASTE 2

“I haven’t thought about that for a long time, I have to say,” says Jackson of a proposed two-film sequel that promised a giant intergalactic Weta consuming, and then evacuating, Jackson’s wacky hero Derek — last seen rocketing into space inside a clapboard house. What he can promise is a remastered version of the original, plus Meet The Feebles, Braindead and Heavenly Creatures, employing the same techniques he has used to restore the World War I footage for his new documentary They Shall Not Grow Old. “They look incredible,” he says. Imagine Braindead in 4K.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: SUPER-EXTENDED EDITION

If Warner Bros. ever rescans the seven million feet of negative in high definition, then Jackson would love to explore bloopers, outtakes and extended scenes for a possible extended-extended edition, or documentary, or both. “Warner have so far proven not very excited about the idea,” he admits. “Until then, our hands are tied.”

AMAZON’S MIDDLE-EARTH SERIES

At this point, Jackson is not involved in the Amazon series. “They’ve asked me and I’ve said that we would certainly have a look at the scripts.” The problem is that the Tolkien estate has retained final approval over casting, storylines and scripts. “It would be impossible for me to [direct] without that control,” he says, having been told by Amazon it wants the series to be set in the same world as the films. “Even if I don’t get involved in directing, I’m certainly happy to share our designs.”