The series is described as a comedic journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and their newest recruit: an eleven-year-old history nerd.[2]
In July 2018, it was announced that Apple Inc. had closed a deal to develop a television series version of the Terry Gilliam film, with Gilliam set to serve as executive producer.[5] In March 2019, Taika Waititi joined the project, set to co-write and direct the pilot episode.[6] Waititi stated the series would be 10 episodes, and revealed to be a co-writer alongside Iain Morris and Jemaine Clement.[7] In September 2022, Lisa Kudrow was cast.[2] On September 16, 2024, Apple TV+ canceled the series after one season.[8]
Production took place in New Zealand and Toronto in late 2022 and early 2023.[9] The series was shot in Wellington,[10] appearing as 1920s New York when shooting began in October 2022.[11]
Release
Time Bandits premiered on July 24, 2024, on Apple TV+.[12] The show was released two episodes a week through August 21, 2024.[13]
Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 80% approval rating with an average rating of 7.1/10, based on 49 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "This reimagining of Time Bandits swaps out the original film's eccentricity for a more family-friendly sensibility, delivering an energetic adventure that gets more absorbing as it goes along."[3]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 65 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14]
Controversy
In 2024, Charlyne Yi said that while filming the series, Yi was constantly assaulted by a male actor who, in the process, injured Yi's back. Yi claimed the actor in question attempted to gaslight producers and HR about the incident to protect his image.[15]
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