Thomas the Tank Engine's new cartoon look is so 'menacing' that it's made children CRY, steaming parents warn
- Thomas the Tank Engine's new look is so 'menacing' it has 'made children cry'
- Children's favourite has been given a cartoon makeover for a new movie
- But do-over has backfired after parents raged about Thomas' new look
- The classic TV series is based on Rev Wilbert Awdry's books The Railway Series
Thomas the Tank Engine's new look is apparently so 'menacing' that it's made children cry, steaming parents have warned.
The beloved children's classic - which debuted on TV in 1984 with Beatles drummer Ringo Starr's iconic narration - has been given a cartoon makeover for new film Race For The Sodor Cup out next Friday.
But the 2D do-over now appears to have backfired after parents raged that their children were 'devastated' by Thomas' new look.
Thomas the Tank Engine's new look is apparently so 'menacing' that it has made children cry, fuming parents have warned
But the do-over now appears to have backfired after parents raged their children were 'devastated' by Thomas' new look
One parent said the steam engine now looks like a 'thug', with some claiming their children didn't recognise him in pictures ahead of the film's release
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One parent said the steam engine now looks like a 'thug', with some claiming their children didn't recognise him in pictures ahead of the film's release.
'Why have they made him look like Dennis the Menace? It's frightening. My five-year-old son is so upset,' one parent said.
Another thundered: 'My Thomas-obsessed three-year-old said 'That's not Thomas!' A third said: 'My six-year-old daughter almost cried. She hates it.'
Donna Jacks said on the Thomas & Friends Facebook page: 'Please tell me it is only this movie the animation has changed for. So disappointing.'
Thomas and Friends the cartoon (pictured) was first broadcast on TV in October 1984
The original books (pictured) were written by Reverend Wilbert Awdry
US toy giant Mattel, which bought Thomas's owner for £500million in 2011, has masterminded the makeover, turning the characters into children, The Sun reports.
Mattel insists the characters are more 'relatable for our pre-school audience', telling the paper: 'We appreciate older fans may prefer the version of the TV show with which they've grown up.'
MailOnline has contacted Mattel for comment.
The classic TV series is based on Rev Wilbert Awdry's books The Railway Series, who made up the stories to entertain his son Christopher, who was ill with measles.
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