We’ve got the first teaser for ‘Thunderbirds Are Go!’ which is an upcoming television series based off of the 1960s British series that used full scale marionette puppets and later a 1966 full length film with the same name. While the new series is ditching the puppets for CG characters, they will still be using live model sets.
Unlike the most recent film that used the original style of filming, ‘Team America: World Police, this one isn’t going to be action or comedy. Instead we will follow a family that operates an International Rescue team and helps people in the style of adventures similar to what we saw the crew of the Enterprise on ‘Star Trek’ tackle on a weekly basis.
You can check out the first teaser followed by the show’s synopsis below. The teaser doesn’t give us a whole lot on what to expect quite yet. Clearly the CG models are done, but not really showing off the characters in detail are really just a way to attempt to build some interest, I’m not sure if that is the right tact for this show.
Fifty years after its television debut the iconic series is back in production featuring a talented cast led by Rosamund Pike (The World’s End, Gone Girl) as Lady Penelope and David Graham (Thunderbirds 1965) reprising his role as chauffeur and International Rescue agent Parker. Debuting on ITV in 2015 this re-invention of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s much-loved series will be produced using an innovative mix of CGI animation and live-action miniature sets. Unstoppable inventor Brains will be voiced by Kayvan Novak (Fonejacker, Facejacker) whilst Tracy brothers Gordon and John are both played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love Actually, Game of Thrones). Rasmus Hardiker (Saxondale, Lead Balloon) has been cast as both the youngest and oldest Tracy brothers Alan and Scott. The fifth Tracy brother, Virgil, will be played by David Menkin. Tracy Island matriarch Grandma Tracy is voiced by Sandra Dickinson (Amazing World of Gumball, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and master villain The Hood played by Andres Williams (M.I. High, Foyle’s War). Plus Thunderbirds Are Go! will feature new characters including Kayo, the Tracy brothers’ friend and fellow island resident, who will be played by Angel Coulby (Merlin, Dancing on the Edge) and Colonel Casey voiced by Adjoa Andoh (Invictus, Doctor Who).
So, yes, there isn’t a whole lot here but we do have a few nuggets found in casting in the synopsis. Managing director of ITV Denise O’Donoghue has previously said that, “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, and we look forward to taking the show to another level while retaining the much-loved heritage that has endured over the past fifty years.”
This makes it sound as if they want to stick to what made the original series work so well. Which is interesting as they are dumping the iconic puppet look for CG but they did have solid stories as well which they will be trying to recreate for today’s audiences.
Below you can check out a sneak peak of the series that was released back in June:
Also, we have a short video of Richard Taylor of WETA from back in October that has a few more details of what the series has in store for us.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to seeing ‘Thunderbirds are Go’?
Source: Slash Film