Jonathan Frakes Opens Up About Career Setback After Thunderbirds

Jonathan Frakes made a name for himself behind the camera with a string of successful movies, including Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Clockstoppers. With three hits under his belt, expectations were high for his next project. But in a candid interview, Frakes revealed how one film ’s poor performance dramatically altered his path in the industry.

Thunderbirds and the Unexpected Downturn

Frakes’ fourth directorial effort, Thunderbirds, was anticipated to continue his winning streak. However, the film struggled at the box office, earning just $28.3 million against a $57 million budget. The disappointing numbers led to a swift and harsh response from Hollywood. As Frakes put it,

I did three successful movies and one massively unsuccessful movie and have been in movie jail ever since.

He explained that the film’s struggles went beyond just financials. The casting, particularly the lead role played by Brady Corbet, didn’t align with the movie’s tone.

Frankly, the lead, Brady Corbet — who just directed his own movie, Vox Lux — he didn’t want to be a superhero. That was really the bottom line. He was charming and he was wonderful, but he was in the wrong movie, and that was my fault. The movie was not ready to compete with Spider- Man and Shrek. It was cursed.

Thunderbirds: The Details Behind the Flop

Released in 2004, Thunderbirds was based on the classic 1960s TV series by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The film followed the teenage sons of International Rescue as they secretly worked to save their kidnapped father and stop a global threat. The cast included Brady Corbet as Alan Tracy, Bill Paxton as Jeff Tracy, Anthony Edwards, Ben Kingsley, and Vanessa Hudgens. Ben Kingsley played the main villain, The Hood.

Despite the film’s action- packed premise and family- friendly appeal, it failed to connect with audiences. The fallout was immediate for Frakes. Calls stopped coming, and his reputation as a director took a hit. He later reflected, “It was a wake-up for me. I had been so positive, and so blessed, and so fortunate.”

Reinventing Himself on Television

After the setback, Frakes found new life in television. He became a prolific and respected director, especially within the Star Trek universe. He directed over 100 episodes across various series, while also continuing his work as an actor.

His talents extended beyond science fiction. Frakes directed episodes for shows like Leverage, Leverage: Redemption, The Librarians, Burn Notice, NCIS: Los Angeles, Castle, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He played a key role in shaping modern Star Trek series, including Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds, earning praise from fans and critics alike.

Even after a major setback, Frakes’ ability to adapt and thrive in television has kept his career moving forward. Thunderbirds is currently available to rent or buy on Apple TV and Amazon in the U.S.

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