Jonathan Frakes Reflects on Career After Thunderbirds Flop

Jonathan Frakes, once riding high after a string of directorial triumphs with titles like Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Clockstoppers, found his fortunes take a sharp turn following his fourth feature. In a candid interview, he summed up the experience with a touch of dry humour:

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

That "massively unsuccessful" project was Thunderbirds, which managed to bring in just $28.3 million at the box office, despite a hefty $57 million budget. The result? Frakes found himself quietly edged out of the film industry, his previous achievements seemingly forgotten overnight.

Thunderbirds: A Misfire with Lasting Consequences

Frakes later offered a frank assessment of what went wrong.

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.

After the film’s release, Frakes found his calls going unanswered. The industry, it seemed, had a long memory for box office failures. Thunderbirds—based on the much-loved 1960s TV series—was meant to be a family-friendly adventure, with a plot centred on the Tracy brothers’ efforts to rescue their father and thwart a global threat. The cast included Brady Corbet as Alan Tracy, Bill Paxton, Anthony Edwards, Ben Kingsley as the villainous Hood, and a young Vanessa Hudgens. Despite the pedigree, the film simply failed to connect with audiences or critics.

Picking Up the Pieces: Frakes’ Shift to Television

Yet, as Frakes himself put it, the experience was something of a wake-up call. He didn’t disappear; instead, he found a new groove in television. His work behind the camera on Star Trek series is now the stuff of legend, with over a hundred episodes directed, not to mention his continued presence as an actor.

Frakes’ television credits extend well beyond the Star Trek universe. He’s helmed episodes of Leverage, Leverage: Redemption, The Librarians, Burn Notice, NCIS: Los Angeles, Castle, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. His ability to move between genres and formats has made him a sought-after director, particularly for shows with a bit of flair and a loyal fanbase.

Legacy and Looking Forward

Frakes’ return to the Star Trek fold has been especially well received. He’s directed key episodes of Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds, each earning praise from fans and critics alike. His knack for balancing action, character, and a touch of nostalgia has helped keep the franchise fresh for a new generation.

Despite the setback of Thunderbirds, Frakes’ career has hardly stalled. He’s become a fixture in television, and his work continues to resonate with audiences. For those curious, Thunderbirds remains available to rent or buy on Apple TV and Amazon in the UK and US.