First Look: ‘Thunderbirds’ CGI Remake

Fifty years after the original debuted, we’ve got our first look at the new CG reboot of the British marionette series Thunderbirds.

The Tracy brothers from behind:

…and from the front:

Produced by ITV Studios, and New Zealand-based Pukeko Pictures, in collaboration with Weta Workshop (Avatar, The Lord of the Rings), Thunderbirds are Go! [working title] mixes computer-animated characters with live-action model sets.

The new series will air on UK’s CITV Channel beginning this year, and at least two seasons, totalling 52 half-hour episodes, have already been commissioned. Other broadcasters that have picked up the show include TVNZ (New Zealand), Nine Network (Australia), Noga (Israel), and MBC (pan-Arab). No word yet on a commitment from a U.S. broadcaster.

Series director is David Scott (LEGO Star Wars), with Theo Baynton (The WotWots) as episodic director. Head writer is Rob Hoegee (Storm Hawks, Teen Titans), who also wrote the Niko and the Sword of Light pilot.

A character-less teaser was also released last month: