The Great Discovery



The Great Discovery is an upcoming direct-to-DVD special, it is the second special since "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" and the first to be shown in theaters since.

This special is expected to be released in autumn of 2008. It will be the first "Thomas and Friends" production to be narrated by Pierce Brosnan.

Plot


"The Great Discovery" begins when an old town high in the mountains is discovered. Thomas is placed in charge of the town's restoration for the annual "Sodor Day" celebration. In order to get the important work done on the island, a new tank engine called Stanley is brought to the railway to help.

Thomas is afraid Stanley will steal his glory, so he tries to make him look silly by playing a trick on him. The plan goes wrong, however, and when Thomas goes missing the Fat Controller launches a search party all over Sodor. Thomas is found by Stanley, and the two become friends.

Theatrical Release
The Great Discovery: The Movie was shown in select theaters in the U.S. throughout July and showing on the weekends and in the U.K., throughout September.

DVD Special Features
HiT Entertainment has announced that several new "Great Discovery" interactive features will be included on the DVD release as well as a Behind the Scenes Featurette starring Pierce Brosnan.

List of "The Great Discovery" Bonus Features:


 * Thomas You're The Leader (Music Video and Karaoke)
 * Behind the Scenes with Pierce Brosnan (Interview)
 * Spot the Difference (Learning Activity with Thomas & Friends #1)
 * Tough Trucks! (Learning Activity with Thomas & Friends #2)
 * Thomas' Puzzle Parts (Learning Activity with Thomas & Friends #3)
 * Trailers

Merchandising
An audio CD of "The Great Discovery" will be released in the U.K. this September: 

A die-cast Take Along model of Stanley will be introduced into the Take Along System: 

A wooden model of Stanley will be introduced into the Wooden Railway System: 

A wooden model of a mud-covered Thomas will be introduced into the Wooden Railway System: 

A new line of toys, called the Talking Railway Series line, will be introduced this fall including a "Great Discovery" set: 

Hornby is to release a "Great Discovery" set with a tired looking Thomas.

The Credits
THE GREAT DISCOVERY Written by SHARRON MILLER

Supervising Producer SAM BARLOW

Educational Consultant MARRY ANN DUDKO PhD

Director of Photography TERRY PERMANE

Head of Production MATT PORTER

1st Assistant Director CONRAD AYLING

Camera Operator NIGEL PERMANE

Stills Photographer ANDREW MITCHELL

Gaffer MICHAEL FLYNN

Electrician PAUL WEAR

Made at SHEPPERTON STUDIOS

Model Designer and Video Effects Supervisor DAVID EVES

Workshop Crew ...

Stage Crew ...

Scenic Artist GRAHAME MENAGE

Production Co-ordinator LARRY ALLEN

Editor KATE BUCKLAND

Online and Video Effects PLATFORM POST PRODUCTION

Graphics ROB FELLOWS

Dubbing Mixer PAUL HARRIS

Voice Director JAMIE THOMASON

Music Composed By ROBERT HARTSHORNE

Songs By ED WELCH

"Thomas, You're The Leader" Arranged and Produced By ...

Executive Producer CHRISTOPHER SKALA

Produced by SIMON SPENCER

HIT Entertainment

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Emily
 * Stanley (new character)
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Lady Hatt
 * Mayor of Sodor
 * Mr. Percival
 * Skarloey
 * Rheneas (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Sir Handel
 * Peter Sam (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Rusty
 * Duncan
 * Freddie
 * Mighty Mac
 * Miss Jenny
 * Jack
 * Alfie
 * Oliver (The Pack)
 * Max and Monty
 * Kelly (Music Video Cameo Only)
 * Ned
 * Buster
 * Diesel (Cameo Only)
 * Bill and Ben (Non-Speaking Roles)
 * Mavis (Non-Speaking Role)
 * 'Arry and Bert (Cameo Only)
 * Salty (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Harvey
 * Arthur
 * Diesel 10 (Cameo Only)
 * Molly (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Dennis (Cameo Only)
 * Rosie (Cab Cameo Only)
 * Annie and Clarabel (Non Speaking Roles)
 * Henrietta (Cameo Only)
 * Troublesome Trucks (Non Speaking Roles)
 * Rocky (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Terence (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Bertie (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Trevor (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Harold
 * George (Cameo Only)
 * Cranky
 * Elizabeth (Music Video Cameo Only)
 * Jeremy (Non-Speaking Role)
 * Madge
 * Refreshment Lady (Cameo Only)
 * Brass Band (Cameo Only)

Songs

 * Thomas and James are Racing
 * There's a Job for Everyone
 * Where, O' Where is Thomas?
 * Engine Roll Call The Great Discovery
 * Thomas You're The Leader

Trivia

 * The Great Discovery features the returns of Jack, Alfie, Oliver, Max and Monty, Kelly, Ned and Buster (last seen in On Site with Thomas), Terence (last seen in season 7), George (last seen in season 10), Diesel 10 (last seen in Calling All Engines), and Dennis (last seen in season 9).
 * The only Pack Vehicles that didn't appear in The Great Discovery are Isobella, Byron, Patrick and Nelson.
 * The Great Discovery features a lot of stock sootage from Season 11.
 * The Great Discovery bears some small similarities to Thomas and the Magic Railroad: A runaway truck, and an engine rolling down the hill.
 * This is the last Thomas & Friends production to only use models for the series.

Who Told Who
About Great Waterton:
 * Thomas
 * Madge
 * Mighty Mac
 * Sir Handel
 * Skarloey
 * Rheneas
 * Mr. Percival
 * Harold
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The Steam Team
 * Miss Jenny
 * Jack and the Pack

About Thomas Being Found
 * Edward, Henry, Emily and Rocky
 * The Narrow Gauge Engines
 * Terence
 * Harvey
 * Trevor
 * Bill
 * Ben
 * Molly
 * Dennis, Mavis, Diesel, Diesel 10, Arry, Salty and Bert
 * Percy
 * Gordon, Toby and James
 * Arthur
 * Miss Jenny
 * Jack
 * Alfie, Oliver, Max & Monty, Ned and Buster
 * Harold
 * Bertie
 * Lady Hatt
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Cranky