Turbo Man!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are looking into a pop culture character from a beloved Christmas film; Jingle All The Way! That’s right, I’m talking about Turbo Man! I was even lucky enough to ask a few questions to one of the artists who brought him to life, Tim Flattery!

When “Jingle All the Way” hit theaters in 1996, audiences were introduced to “Turbo Man”; a brightly colored, jetpack-wearing superhero who quickly became the centerpiece of the film’s over-the-top holiday chaos. The movie, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a desperate father trying to find the sold-out “Turbo Man” action figure for his son, was inspired by the real-life toy crazes of the 1980s and 1990s; most notably the mania surrounding “Cabbage Patch Kids” and “Power Rangers”. Screenwriter Randy Kornfield conceived the story as a satirical take on consumer culture, exploring how the true meaning of Christmas often gets lost amid commercial frenzy.

Bringing “Turbo Man” to life required creating a hero who looked believable enough to be a real toy line while still feeling slightly exaggerated; a parody of pop-culture icons like Superman and Iron Man. The filmmakers wanted something that children would actually want, but adults would recognize as part of the movie’s tongue-in-cheek humor. The design needed to balance sleek, heroic appeal with toy-like simplicity, hinting that “Turbo Man” could easily sit on the shelves next to other real-life action figures of the time.

Concept designer Tim Flattery, known for his work on “Back to the Future Part II” and “Batman Forever”, was tasked with crafting Turbo Man’s distinctive look. Flattery designed a character that fused classic superhero aesthetics; muscular armor, bold metallic tones, and a golden “T” emblem; with the exaggerated shine of 1990s toy design. His sketches evolved into a full costume built for Schwarzenegger, complete with a functioning jetpack rig and a helmet that mirrored the comic-book style of the film’s fictional universe. The result was a character that felt both authentic and satirical; an icon of consumer desire that also symbolized the movie’s message.

Behind the scenes, creating “Turbo Man” merchandise became an unexpected challenge. The studio initially underestimated the character’s appeal and produced only a limited number of actual “Turbo Man” dolls for promotional purposes. Ironically, just as in the movie, fans began hunting for these rare collectibles, turning them into prized items decades later.

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: What was it like working on “Turbo Man”?

Tim: One of the best and most difficult experiences of my career. I loved working with the director; Brian Levant, and I had a lot of fun on set with Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Difficult because of the very short pre production schedule and complexities of the suit)

Giancarlo: What was your favorite movie growing up?

Tim: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

Giancarlo: Did you have any push back from friends and family on wanting to be an artist? 

Tim: No, in fact my family and friends were very supportive. My dad was a little concerned at first about finding a job, but that was it.

Giancarlo: Which of the films you worked on are you the most proud of?

Tim: My answer to this question changes daily. I am so thankful to have the opportunities I have and to work on such great movies. Overall, I most proud of the work I did in Solaris.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Tim: “Never say no. You will always find a way.”  And, “Be collaborative and keep your mouth shut."

Check out his work here: http://www.timflattery.com/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again soon!

-Giancarlo