If you forgot that a Taika Waititi-directed Time Bandits series was coming to Apple TV+, well, you’re not alone. It’s been three and a half years since Waititi’s involvement was announced. But the adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s 1981 film (pictured above) is real! Real enough to be well into the casting process, anyway. Variety reports that the main cast is set—and it’s an intriguing lineup.
No character descriptions have been announced, but the cast includes Lisa Kudrow (Friends) as Penelope; Kal-El Tuck (Andy and the Band) as Kevin; Charlyne Yi (Lucifer) as Judy; Tadhg Murphy (Black Sails‘ horrifying Ned Low) as Alto; Roger Jean Nsengiyumva (Tomb Raider) as Widgit; Rune Temte (Captain Marvel) as Bittelig; Kiera Thompson (Martyrs Lane) as Saffron; and Rachel House (Cowboy Bebop) as Fianna.
The show’s official description calls it “a comedic journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and their newest recruit: an eleven-year-old history nerd (Tuck).” This isn’t too far off from the original film, which was directed by Gilliam, who co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Palin.
Waititi, who is directing the first two episodes of Apple’s adaptation, co-wrote the pilot with Jemaine Clement and Iain Morris; all three are executive producers.
No release date has been announced. In the meantime, though, the trailer for the original Time Bandits is super weird. Maybe you should watch it.
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