Kingsley to star as villain in Thunderbirds

Gandhi star Ben Kingsley is turning nasty to play the villain in the new big budget Thunderbirds movie.

The respected actor will take on the role of The Hood, a master criminal who plans to take over the International Rescue HQ to use their craft for his own evil purposes.

He joins a cast of mainly unknown performers for the film which has been on the drawing board for years, but finally begins filming next month.

Bill Paxton – whose credits include Titanic and Twister – plays Jeff Tracy, head of the dynamic Tracy clan who protect the planet.

Sophia Myles, who appeared in Mansfield Park, is lined up to play aristocratic secret agent Lady Penelope, while the role of chauffeur Parker will be filled by Ron Cook, who appeared in Chocolat.

The film is based on the characters created by Gerry Anderson in the late 1960s for the hit 32-episode series.

The live action movie will see The Hood invade the Pacific base of Tracy Island, after sending International Rescue on a fake mission.

Although best known for his role as the peaceful architect of modern India, Gandhi, Kingsley recently won acclaim for his portrayal of a ruthless criminal in Sexy Beast.

Thunderbirds is being directed by Jonathan Frakes who was behind the Star Trek movies Insurrection and First Contact.

Movie company Working Title – whose hits have included About A Boy and Notting Hill – hopes the film will launch a new film franchise to rival Harry Potter and James Bond.

It will be shot in the UK and in the Seychelles.