Following Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder, it sounds like Taika Waititi has done it again as his Time Bandits reboot series at Apple TV+ has ditched the use of dwarfs.
That’s not all as it is also learned Friends actor Lisa Kudrow is the leader of the ragtag group of thieves, replacing David Rappaport from the original film who played fan-favorite Randall.
The original is a huge cult-classic
The original is a huge cult classic among those who watched Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits movie in the ’80s — especially that ending.
The film kicks off in young Kevin’s room where six dwarfs have stolen a cosmic map and are looking for a way to escape before they are discovered by the Supreme Being who wants the map back.
Well, hence the title, the boy ends up with the group of dwarfs as they escape through time leading to all kinds of super cool adventures. And again, that ending.
Lisa Kudrow leads “a band of idiots through time” says Waititi
So, apparently, what is happening in the Taika Waititi reboot, is that while the TV series will feature an 11-year-old Kevin similar to the original film, Lisa Kudrow plays Penelope, the leader of the group of thieves, and all the dwarfs have been ditched in favor of non-dwarf actors.
EW.com has a first look (above) which includes Kudrow as Penelope front and center along with the other “Time Bandits” that make up the group, with actors Tadhg Murphy (Alto), Roger Jean Nsengiyumva (Widgit), Kal-El Tuck (Kevin), Kiera Thompson (Saffron), and Rune Temte (Bittelig).
In addition to David Rappaport as Randall, the original movie also starred Kenny Baker as Fidgit, Malcom Dixon as Strutter, Mike Edmonds as Og, Jack Purvis and Wally, and Tiny Ross as Vermin. Not to mention greats like Sean Connery and John Cleese.
Reimagines the classic story
According to the description in the article, “The new Time Bandits reimagines the classic story over 10 episodes, following Kevin as he falls in with a group of marauders led by Lisa Kudrow’s Penelope.“
“I just love Lisa Kudrow and thought it’d be awesome to see her leading a band of idiots through time,” Waititi told the site.
Time Bandits premieres Wednesday, July 24, on Apple TV+.
Big controversy
Charlyne Yi also stars in the series as Judy and recently posted to social media that she was “physically assaulted” and “psychologically abused” on the set of Waititi’s Time Bandits.
“I was not safe, supported or protected. I was physically assaulted multiple times by an actor, as well as psychologically abused,” the 38-year-old actor and comedian posted to Instagram. Yi further claimed that she was “gaslit by coworkers, producers, and HR,” “coerced to quit,” and denied workers’ compensation for the back injury and PTSD she allegedly sustained during filming.
“I am tired of being met with retaliation for protecting my life and others,” Yi wrote, adding that she was also seeking a lawyer and a new manager.
A Paramount TV spokesperson told EW.com: “The safety of our cast and crew is very important to us, and we take all concerns that are raised to us very seriously. At the time of the complaint, Paramount Television Studios conducted a full investigation regarding allegations that were brought to our attention. While all investigations are confidential and we cannot comment on specifics, additional steps were taken to address concerns.”
