Daniel Craig In Tintin

Bond lands villain character for the 3-D version of the famous comic

Daniel Craig, best known for playing James Bond, has been confirmed to play pirate Red Rackham, an evil character whose attempts to capture a ship lead to sunken treasure.

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, follows Tintins attempts to buy a model ship for his friend Captain Haddock, whilst fending off two other purchasers. When the ship is later stolen, he learns that it contains secret directions to the treasure mentioned above.

With production underway, Steven Speilberg is directing the first instalment of a proposed Tintin trilogy. Alongside Craig, Jamie Bell has been confirmed for the lead role, with Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, Andy Serkis and Mackensie Crook in support.

The original Tintin character was created in 1929 by Georges Remi, better known by his pen name Herge. The hero of the series is a young Belgian reporter who is aided in his adventures from the beginning by his faithful fox terrier dog Snowy.

Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings, is co-producing the project with Spielberg and has been lined up to direct the sequel. There are rumours concerning Guillermo Del Toro and James Cameron possibly competing to direct the third.

Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn is due for a 2011 release.