Thunderbirds creator’s story confirmed to be turned into all-new feature film with “real emotional weight”

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A brand new animated movie is in the works, based on a previously undiscovered story written by the late Gerry Anderson.

Anderson Entertainment and Space Age Films, both based in the UK, are teaming up to create a new animated movie for theaters called ‘Merry Christmas, Earthlings!’. The film is based on a story written by the creator of ‘Thunderbirds‘ back in 2006, according to Screen Daily.

The project will be presented at the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlin Animation Days (February 12th–14th) as part of a UK animation showcase.

Merry Christmas, Earthlings! tells the touching story of a boy who becomes friends with an alien. Together, they go on an adventure to find out if Santa Claus is real. The story was written by its author six years before he passed away in 2012, at the age of 83.

Beyond Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson created other popular and groundbreaking shows like Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, and Stingray.

The movie is currently seeking funding, and filmmakers are beginning to cast actors. They plan to reveal the cast members at the Cannes Film Festival later this year, with a goal to release the film around Christmas 2028.

Robert Chandler of Space Age Films will oversee production, collaborating with Anderson Entertainment, who handles the estate of the original creator. The movie’s script is being written by Keiron Self and Giles New, and it’s planned for release in cinemas.

Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry Anderson and managing director of Anderson Entertainment, explained that his father created this story while reflecting on family, faith, and legacy. He emphasized that Anderson Entertainment wanted to produce a modern animated film with genuine emotional depth, not just a nostalgic tribute. He added that Space Age Films, particularly Robert, fully grasped the complexities of this goal.

Animator Chandler has recently worked on the UK productions The Canterville Ghost and The Amazing Maurice. He describes Gerry Anderson as a hugely influential figure, comparing him to both Walt Disney and Irwin Allen. Chandler particularly admires Anderson’s bold creativity and ability to tell exciting, thought-provoking stories that were innovative for their time.

Authors

Morgan JefferyDigital Editor

Morgan Jeffery leads the editorial content for TopMob across all its digital platforms as Digital Editor. Before joining TopMob, he worked as TV Editor at Digital Spy and has appeared as a television expert on programs like BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Sky Atlantic.

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2026-02-03 16:04