Melbourne, March 10 : Dreamworks Pictures is reportedly set to make a movie on the famous cartoon character Tintin, which is expected to be released in 2009.

According to SneakPeek.CA, Tintin's Belgian creator Herge Studios has handed over its film rights to director Steven Spielberg.

Nick Rodwell of Herg
é is to begin work on its pre-production soon. He says that the success or failure of the first movie will determine whether they should go on to make a series on Tintin flicks.

"If movie No. 1 works, we will continue," Moviehole quoted him as saying.

Tintin's faithful little dog Snowy, drunken Captain Haddock, Professor Cuthbert Calculus, the investigator duo Thomson and Thompson are expected to feature in the film.

If rumours are to be believed, 'Everwood' star Gregory Smith, 'Harry Potter' actor Rupert Grint, and newcomer Kirsten Myburgh are the top runners on Spielberg's priority list for the role.

Another little rumour that surfaced a while back was that Roman Polanksi was considering doing his own 'Tintin' movie.