Thunderbirds creator is no go over film version of puppet show

Gerry anderson, the Thunderbirds creator, has attacked the producers of the Hollywood film version of the 1960s puppet series, branding them "arrogant" after they dropped him as a creative consultant.

Gerry anderson, the Thunderbirds creator, has attacked the producers of the Hollywood film version of the 1960s puppet series, branding them "arrogant" after they dropped him as a creative consultant.

Anderson is furious with Working Title, the British company which is co-producing the movie with Universal. The company sent him a letter saying his creative services were not needed. Anderson said: "I thought, right, that's the biggest insult I've ever had in my life. I didn't read the script. I just cut myself off from the whole thing."

David Livingstone, Working Title's director of marketing, replied that Anderson was "a pain in the arse". He said: "The reality with Gerry is that he's upset with everything."

In an interview with The Independent, Anderson ran through his disagreements with the company, ranging from anger that Lady Penelope in the film drives a Ford rather than a Rolls-Royce to an occasion at a dinner when he claimed to be "rudely" snubbed by senior management.

As a result, he turned down an offer of $750,000 (£400,000) to promote the film, severed all links with its production team and has no plans to see the finished product, which stars Ben Kingsley and Bill Paxton.

Anderson said that hecomplained about Lady Penelope's car because of problems relating to permission.

"I took one look at that and thought, if that's the kind of movie they're going to make, I'm out," he said.

"I'm not so wealthy that I can afford to turn that kind of money down. But I knew damn well if I stood in front of that car saying, 'isn't it wonderful?' there'd be people asking, 'how much did they pay you, Gerry?'"

Mr Livingstone said: "We'd had an incredible response to this 27ft big pink car. All of the geeks have loved it - the fans of the original who have stayed with it for 40 years."

Thunderbirds is due for release in Britain on 23 July.