According to Fanderson.org, creator/producer Gerry Anderson confirmed that he has made a deal to bring a new THUNDERBIRDS TV series to the screen.
A non-disclosure agreement apparently limits what he can say about the new show, though he’s quoted as saying on BBC Radio 5:
“I don’t want to sound conceited, but because I’m going to make it…I’m confident that it will be a smash hit!”
Hopefully Anderson will be correct, because the Johnathan Frakes directed live action version of the 1960’s “Supermarionation” hit was a notable misfire.
The announcement came on the same day (Jan. 11th) that the UK’s Royal Mail unveiled a series of postage stamps featuring Gerry Anderson’s
best loved science fiction puppet shows.
Via the BBC:
The stamps, split between 1st Class and 97p values, feature six of his most popular vehicles and characters: SUPERCAR, FIREBALL XL5, STINGRAY, THUNDERBIRDS, CAPTAIN SCARLET and JOE 90 (largely unseen in the U.S.-ed. note).
This stamp issue also includes Royal Mail’s first motion stamps on a miniature sheet using a method called “micro lenticular” printing to re-enact the famous “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” opening sequence to THUNDERBIRDS. (Seen in the video)
It’s unknown at this time what format the new THUNDERBIRDS might take. There was a cartoon ‘sequel’ version, and the afore-mentioned live action feature. In more recent years, Gerry Anderson’s CAPTAIN SCARLET returned in an updated computer animated version, which garnered some fans, but didn’t get (as far as I know) U.S. airplay.
Anderson may be more familiar to American fans as the creator of the live action sci-fi series UFO and SPACE: 1999.