Apple’s Time Bandits adaptation, announced over a year before Apple TV+ launched, is finally revealing more details about its upcoming series. The remake, a 10-episode show, premieres on July 24.
Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, the creative team behind the hit film What We Do in the Shadows, are at the helm of the Time Bandits remake. Waititi, who also directed Marvel movies, brings his signature blend of humor and darkness to the project. The show boasts an impressive cast, led by underappreciated star Lisa Kudrow, alongside Charlyne Yi, Rune Temte, Tadhg Murphy, and Roger Jean Nsengiyumva. Clement takes on the role of the primary antagonist, replacing David Warner, while Waititi plays the Supreme Being, previously portrayed by Ralph Richardson.
The cast does not include any original members from the 1981 film, marking a fresh reimagining rather than a “pass the torch” adaptation. The show follows a similar plot to the original, centered around a lonely British child who discovers a time portal in his bedroom and becomes entangled in a series of time-traveling escapades.
The trailer showcases several iconic sequences from the movie, including jaunts through Ancient Greece and the construction of Stonehenge. With 10 episodes, the show has ample opportunity to introduce new guest stars, mirroring the original’s trend of featuring well-known actors in different time periods. The trailer does not feature Sean Connery as Agamemnon or John Cleese as Robin Hood, hinting at potential casting surprises.
As the movie visited various time periods, the show will likely explore new eras, thanks to its longer format. Two episodes will debut on July 24, followed by a weekly release schedule every Wednesday, concluding on August 21. The series joins the growing roster of original content on Apple TV+.
