Thomas the Tank Engine (2021 film)

Thomas the Tank Engine is an American-British 2021 upcoming live-action/computer-animated hybrid film directed by Marc Forster, produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Mattel Films, 2DUX2 and Pixar Animation Studios. It is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film is based on Wilbert Awdry's Railway Series books and Britt Allcroft's Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends television series. It is made to celebrate Thomas's debut in the second Railway Series book (named after him) published in 1946, 75 years ago.

Cast

 * Christopher Awdry (portrayed by TBA) - One of the film's main protagonists. TBA
 * Wilbert Awdry (portrayed by TBA) - Christopher's father, who visited Sodor when he was a child, but cannot remember.
 * Sir Charles Topham Hatt/The Fat Director (portrayed by Matt Lucas) - TBA. Unlike a television series (where he is called The Fat Controller), the Fat Director is based on Sir Topham Hatt I (from the books) with a name he used in The Three Railway Engines and Thomas the Tank Engine.
 * Diana (portrayed by TBA) - A daughter of Thomas's driver, who Christopher fell in love with. TBA. Is based on Diana Scott, Christopher's ex-wife.

Voices

 * Thomas the Tank Engine (voiced by Tom Holland) - A film's titular protagonist. TBA. A movie is narrated on his perspective (as revealed in a ending) and focuses on his character development from a cheeky into a mature, selfless and caring engine.
 * Diesel (voiced by TBA) -
 * James the Red Engine (voiced by Robert Pattinson) -
 * Percy the Small Engine (voiced by Roman Griffin Davis) -
 * Gordon the Big Engine (voiced by Hugh Laurie) -
 * Henry the Green Engine (voiced by Asa Butterfield) -
 * Edward the Blue Engine (voiced by Jim Broadbent) -
 * Eagle (voiced by TBA) - TBA, who is James's older brother and was destroyed in a bombardment. Based on the unnamed red engine from The Three Railway Engines.
 * Alfred and Cecil (voiced by TBA and TBA) - TBA. Based on 87546 and 98462, who appeared in The Three Railway Engines.
 * Rosie the Lavender Engine (voiced by TBA) - TBA, who is bought by The Fat Director during World War II. She had a crush on Thomas to the point she imitates him on her first day at work, though later developed a rivalry with Emily.
 * Emily the Stirling Single (voiced by Karen Gillan) - TBA, who became Thomas's love interest when they met each other in the Mainland and later joined him during his journey back to Sodor.
 * Toby the Tram Engine (voiced by Daniel Craig) - TBA. Appears in the mid-credits flashback scene, which references Toby and the Stout Gentleman and him being Christopher's favorite character in the books.
 * Nia the Kenyan Engine (voiced by Letitia Wright) -
 * Rebecca the Yellow Engine (voiced by Jodie Whittaker) - TBA. Alongside Nia, Rebecca made her only appearance in a ending scene when Thomas finishes up his story about his and Christopher's adventure.
 * TBA -

Development
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A movie's plot was inspired by a cancelled 2010's theaterical film The Adventures of Thomas (directed by Shane Acker and produced by Julia Pistor), which took place in London during World War II and later has a pre-teen boy (Christopher) drifted apart from his father, ending up in Sodor.

It is also made for older audiences who are fans of the Railway Series books and original television series released in 1984-2003, being closer to source material, engines using modified, realistic models and also Pixar's second film which uses live-action elements since WALL-E (with a small amount of footage).

Legacy
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A unnamed spin-off series is revealed to air on Disney+ in 2022, centering on a relationship between Thomas and his girlfriend Emily after the film's events.