Parker drives a Ford!
Lady Penelope's FAB 1 to be badged with the blue oval
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The Thunderbirds film will be hitting our screens in the summer of 2004 and Ford are already trumpeting their involvement in the project.
Unlike the original series which was set in 2065, the new film is set in 2010. It's directed by Jonathan Frakes, famous for his role as William Riker in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' TV series, and as the Director of 'Star Trek: First Contact' and 'Clockstoppers' feature films. It is produced by Working Title, which also made 'Bridget Jones's Diary', 'Johnny English', 'Notting Hill', 'Bean', 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'About A Boy' and the current box office hit 'Love Actually'.
The cast is headed by Sir Ben Kingsley (The Hood, number one villain), Anthony Edwards (Brains, head boffin for International Rescue), Bill Paxton (Jeff Tracy, head of International Rescue), Sophia Myles (Lady Penelope) and Ron Cook (Parker).
One of the stars of the movie, and a key part of the International Rescue fleet is the machine known as FAB 1 - the personal transport of London Agent, Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward. In the original this was a pink Rolls Royce, but product placement has compromised the integrity of the reproduction and in the film it will be a Ford!
John Beard, the film's production designer, and his team turned to Ford of Europe's Design Group for help in creating the car. In addition to FAB 1, Ford has provided a number of other vehicle concepts that will feature in the film.
Thunderbirds Director, Jonathan Frakes commented: "We were anxious to pay appropriate homage to the original TV show but at the same time deliver a film that would appeal to the latest generation of movie goers and provide the best representation of the 2010 time frame. Ford's vision of the future has been crucial in achieving the look we needed for the movie. "
'Subtle' badging on FAB 1 confirms the Ford connection. As well as the 'Thunderbird' emblem above the distinctively rounded and generously proportioned grille, with its clear Ford Thunderbird overtones, there are also Ford blue ovals discreetly located on FAB 1.
FAB 1 sits on six 22-inch wheels. Much of its 27 foot overall length is dedicated to the hardware required to deliver its awe-inspiring land, air and sea transportation modes but it still manages to incorporate an extravagant, high-tech cabin, with a one-plus-one tandem seating arrangement and space for two extra occasional passengers under the aircraft-like bubble canopy.
A hint of what is to come can be seen in the early cinema trailers for the film and on related THUNDERBIRDS websites at www.workingtitlefilms.com and www.uip.com .
But further details of the film, and the central role played by FAB 1 and the other International Rescue vehicles will be disclosed nearer to the film's launch in Summer 2004.
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By the way, Mr Ford et al, don't think we're fooled by trendy ad-speak like "product placement"- - read "corporate greed".
Get some integrity you money-grubbing ba$tards!
>> Edited by britten_mark on Tuesday 2nd December 00:59
Whatever Simon Cowel may have to say on the matter, the big RR 'ain't a showy, ostentatious car, and being pimped around by the marketing dept' like a piece of trashey marchandise is far below it.
Too early in the car's lifecycle to degrade it's brand like that if ever. RR themselves used to be fiercely protective of the RR mark and where it was put.
One guy who built a Griffin powered special and fitted the grille from a Silver Wraith on it was served with an injuction forcing him to remove it. I suspect BMW might maintain this tradition.
...having said that, RR must have come to some arrangement with JA over the FAB1 as it was most defintely with "Spirit of Extacey".
I wouldn't be at all shocked if BMW had been approached and they told the film makers where they could park the idea.
Shame really as Mr Bangle's shop is far more on the boil right now, and Ford have had enough exposure through the last couple of 007 flicks IMHO.
Mouse.
>> Edited by danger mouse on Monday 1st December 13:39
I know the car in the orginal series had 6 wheels and was 'similar' in appearance but that thing is hideous. Should have been drowned at birth IMHO.
- if they'd made this 20 years ago, they'd be in a stretched XR4i! Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff