Paul Giamatti revisits Thunderpants, his quirky British comedy with Rupert Grint | Mirror Online

Black Mirror star Paul Giamatti has opened up on his time working on a forgotten British film which was a complete box office flop

11:01, 01 Apr 2025Updated 11:02, 01 Apr 2025

The actor stars in Netflix’s Black Mirror(Image: Netflix )

Black Mirror star Paul Giamatti has delivered a succinct four-word review on an overlooked British flick he starred in alongside Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint.

The duo appeared in the 2002 family comedy Thunderpants, directed by The Borrowers’ Pete Hewitt.

In a recent chat with Radio Times, Paul couldn’t help but express his fondness for the film, saying: “I love that movie.”

Although it took him a while to gain widespread acclaim, Giamatti now boasts two Oscar nominations for his roles in Cinderella Man and The Holdovers.

Giamatti is well-acquainted with filming in the UK, having worked on Thunderpants, Saving Private Ryan, and Downton Abbey on British soil, reports the Mirror US.

Discussing the work culture differences, Paul revealed: “There’s a kind of sanity to the work here that we lack in America. It doesn’t feel rushed.

Paul starred in family comedy film Thunderpants back in the Noughties(Image: Pathe Distribution)READ MORE: Netflix quietly adds ‘one of the funniest films of 2025’ just two months after theatre debutREAD MORE: Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan confirmed as two members of the Fab Four in new Beatles movies

“The days are normal and there’s an eye towards people having a life outside of work, which is not the case in America a lot of the time.”

Thunderpants tells the tale of young Patrick Smash who suffers from a mortifying issue uncontrollable and powerful flatulence. Luckily, his best mate can’t smell a thing and comes up with a brilliant plan to use Patrick’s unique problem to their advantage.

Bruce Cook took on the role of Patrick, with Rupert playing his best mate Alan A. Allen and Paul portraying Johnson J. Johnson. The film also featured Simon Callow, Adam Godley, Stephen Fry and Celia Imrie in supporting roles, while Keira Knightley made a cameo.

Regrettably, Thunderpants was a total flop at the box office, raking in just $3 million from a budget of $7 million.

Paul Giamatti has shared his verdict on a forgotten film(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Audiences weren’t too impressed either, as it holds a 3.8 rating on IMDb and a 67% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes based on only six reviews.

One viewer commented: “Ten-year-old boys will probably find Thunderpants the funniest film imaginable.

“Most viewers whose playground days are behind them, however, will turn up their noses at a comedy adventure about a boy with uncontrollable flatulence.”

Trying to see the bright side, another viewer wrote: “Overdone fart jokes aside, Thunderpants is actually a heartwarming story about two young friends. It leaves a positive memory.”

Paul was speaking in the latest issue of Radio Times. Black Mirror season 7 is available to stream from April 10 on Netflix

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