HE IS a killing machine with an eye for the buxom Destiny Angel. Captain Scarlet has undergone a £25 million overhaul but this new incarnation may prove too dark for children.

Gerry Anderson, the legendary creator of Thunderbirds, revealed yesterday a high-tech Scarlet, the indestructible agent who first sent the Mysterons packing in 1967.

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) has replaced puppet strings and the cinema-quality ITV1 production, made at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, is the most sophisticated animated series yet created in Britain.

Toy manufacturers Bandai are launching a range of new products to accompany the Saturday morning series, which Anderson believes will banish memories of last year’s flop Thunderbirds film.

However, Gerry Anderson’s New Captain Scarlet will surprise fans of the original. The unforgettable Captain Scarlet theme music has been replaced and Lieutenant Green has had a sex change.

Scarlet himself is involved in a love triangle with his evil nemesis, the menacing Captain Conrad Black (no connection with the disgraced newspaper magnate, Anderson assured viewers).

The object of their affections is Scarlet’s sidekick, the feisty Destiny Angel, who leads an all-female squadron of fighter pilots. Destiny was Black’s girlfriend before he became a pawn of the Mysterons but now she is drawn to Scarlet.

Anderson admitted that the series was “darker and sexier” than the original. The opening episode includes a funeral and a genetically-mutated Scarlet, who — manipulated by Mysterons — blasts away grim-faced at his colleagues.

Anderson, 74, is unapologetic about the sexual element. “Even at my age, I really like sex,” he said. “I think we handle the sex in good taste.” Sex scenes had been difficult to reproduce with puppets, Anderson added. Modern audiences demanded more female characters and “intense” action sequences. He personally raised the funds for the series, including £12 million through the government-sponsored Enterprise Investment Scheme.

He said the characters, uniforms and futuristic vehicles were perfect for toy manufacturers but merchandise sales were vital to get back the £25 million for investors.

Ironically, while Anderson is taking “hyper-marrionation” to a new level, the new hit film Team America:World Police has revived the approach of the original puppet-on-a-string Thunderbirds.

Anderson said he was flattered by the homage, adding: “Anything is better than the Thunderbirds film.” He took no part in the film which was made by Universal. He admitted his original models were basic: “The puppets couldn’t change their expressions or pick things up. I wish I had a magic wand to touch the screen and make the characters come alive. With CGI technology I finally have that wand.”

The series begins next month and is also being sold abroad by Sony Pictures.

• Captain Scarlet action figures jostled for attention at the opening of the 2005 Toy Fair in London yesterday. But all the talk was about the Robosapien V2. The successor to last year’s hit toy has gained 10in in height and can throw objects.

  Robosapien also has new friends, a 32in-long Roboraptor with a powerful jaw and a moody Robopet which performs tricks and snaps when it needs a walk. Parents will have to pay up to £200 for all three.

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