Steven Moffat, episode writer on Doctor Who has turned down the opportunity to write the second Tintin movie for Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. Moffat wrote the first film, and was set to write the second, but he turned down the opportunity as he is replacing Russell T. Davies on the hit BBC show.

"I know a lot of people won't understand it but I've been dreaming about writing for Doctor Who since I was seven," he told the Mail on Sunday. "There are no bad feelings between Spielberg and me, but Doctor Who has to come before Hollywood.

"I was under contract to do the first two of the three Tintin films. I completed the first one and then the Hollywood writers' strike happened and I couldn't work. I was offered the Doctor Who job and accepted immediately. I hope you won't make what happened sound too dramatic." Moffat added.

Steven Spielberg is directing the first Tintin movie and Jackson will helm the second. The duo will then join forces to co-direct the last movie in the trilogy.