Coincidence or conspiracy?
The lead characters in "Space:1999" were John Koenig and Helena Russell. The lead character in this film is "John Russell". Coincidence or tribute? (BTW, according to Neil Armstrong's biography - "First Man", by James Hansen - Armstrong had a great-uncle called John Koening. Alas, it's too late to ask Gerry Anderson about that.)
"There's no point in being grown-up if you can't be childish sometimes!"