Thunderbirds Are Go again after 50 years

Click for big version.
David Scott in front of the Tracy Island model at Weta Workshop.

As a plane throttles overhead during the Q&A before the first screening of Thunderbirds Are Go, Sir Richard Taylor says, “There’s Thunderbird 3 flying over us.”

The new CGI Thunderbirds Are Go television series is coming soon to TV2. It is co-produced by Pukeko Pictures, Weta Workshop and ITV.

Pukeko Pictures chief executive Andrew Smith says they had been developing the idea for twelve years when they got the confirmation call from executive producer Giles Ridge.

Smith says they had to “come up with something completely different that no one else would think of”.

Series producer David Scott says the move away from puppets allows the characters to be more active.

“Ultimately, I think the show is going to be remembered for its fantastic action. To me, it’s about getting the guys much more involved in the rescues. They are really more like five miniature James Bonds.”

Click for big version.
Sir Richard Taylor, David Scott, and Andrew Smith sit left-right at the Thunderbirds Are Go Q&A. Photo: Megan Gattey.

Jeff Tracy, head of International Rescue in the original Thunderbirds, does not feature in this series, although it is rumoured that he will appear in the future. Jeff’s five sons, Scott, Virgil, John, Gordon and Alan are re-joined by Lady Penelope, Parker, Brains, Grandma and Kayo.

In Jeff Tracy’s absence, his sons consider what their father would do instead of being able to ask his advice, which gives them more autonomy.

Weta Workshop co-founder Sir Richard Taylor says Thunderbirds Are Go has a strong theme of “uncelebrated heroism”.

“They put themselves at risk every day for people they don’t know. This incredible and extraordinary family are achieving mind-boggling things every day.”

Tin-Tin Kyrano also does not appear in this remake, but is reimagined as a female character named Kayo.

“We’ve expanded her role in quite a number of ways. She has more strategic knowledge than the boys. She is more capable of rationalising situations and reacting responsibly to them,” Taylor says.

Rosamund Pike is the voice of Lady Penelope, Thomas Brodie-Sangster voices Gordon and John Tracy, and David Graham returns to voice Parker.

“For me, regardless of the excitement and drama, you must bring people back to the intimate,” Taylor says. He hopes that Thunderbirds Are Go will be a show that families will watch together on a Sunday night.

Click for big version.
The house model for Tracy Island at Weta Workshop.

The creative team combined miniature-figurines with CGI to bring the characters to life. Many of the workers have come fresh from their studies. Pukeko Pictures chief executive Andrew Smith says their attitude is “exactly the kind of passion we look for.”

Taylor says they have already built more miniatures than were made for the Lord of the Rings. “It is an extraordinary collection of miniature worlds.”

Scott always admired the handmade craftsmanship in the original Thunderbirds, and he wanted to retain some of that quality. “I used to get the back of Weetbix packs and make Thunderbird 3.”

He says that Tracy Island (it “has to be a place where Bear Grylls would live”) has plenty of New Zealand influence in the design.

The plantation on the island can be found in New Zealand, and the natural light from caves in the West Coast inspired him when he designed the Thunderbird launch pads.

Scott closed the bidding for final questions with a Thunderbirds classic, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1!”

Click for big version.
Sir Richard Taylor with family and Celia Wade-Brown in front of the Thunderbird 1 model before the press screening of Thunderbirds Are Go.

© Scoop Media