Stand by for action!
The visual effects masters at Weta, known for their work on THE HOBBIT, KING KONG and THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, are to help production of a brand new version of the late Gerry Anderson’s THUNDERBIRDS, co-producing the new show with New Zealand-based Pukeko Pictures. The series head writer is Rob Hoegee (GENERATOR REX, TEEN TITANS, BEN 10, SLUGTERRA).
The original series was effectively a Hollywood disaster movie very week; from a city in flames to chemically super-sized alligators, to a spaceship on a collision course with the sun. Each week the close-knit Tracy Family would fly to the rescue in a variety of super-powered craft. The original 1960s series ran for 32 hour-long episodes and spawned two feature films shortly afterwards.
It was followed by an unofficial Japanese anime “sequel”, THUNDERBIRDS 2086 in 1982, which expanded the team into a global organisation, and a much-maligned movie version in 2004.
The imaginatively titled THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! will broadcast on ITV in 2015 and will feature CGI animation and live-action model sets.
ITV Studios’ UK managing director Denise O’Donoghue has said:
“THUNDERBIRDS is a highly respected brand that continues to hold recognition around the world. This cult series is often credited as changing the history of animation and action-adventure. […] We look forward to taking the show to another level while retaining the much-loved heritage that has endured over the past 50 years.”
Richard Taylor, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures and Weta Workshop, says:
“THUNDERBIRDS was a hugely influential television series in my childhood. Having watched it originally in black and white, it was only years later that I discovered the full and rich world that Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Derek Meddings, Mike Trimm and their team created. It is thrilling therefore to think we have the opportunity to work with ITV on this new series inspired by this most wonderful of British shows. I personally, together with the teams here at Pukeko Pictures and Weta Workshop, look forward to designing and creating an inspirational world that will engage the imagination of a whole new generation as it did for us nearly half a century ago.”
Andrew Smith, CEO of Pukeko Pictures, adds:
“Pukeko Pictures is focused on high-quality value-based programming, and we are thrilled to be associated with such an iconic brand, one that brilliantly encompasses family values, heroism and generosity. We are very proud to partner with ITV Studios to create a new era of THUNDERBIRDS.”
ITV and children’s channel CiTV will broadcast the new series in 26 half-hour episodes, which for some may come as a shame. The last Gerry Anderson series, NEW CAPTAIN SCARLET, was brilliant and deserved a prime-time slot in the scheduling. Unfortunately, it was dumped in the middle of Ministry of Mayhem, a kind of poor man’s Going Live!
Source: BBC Newsbeat
