Embark on a comedic, high-stakes journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and their newest recruit: an 11-year-old history nerd. Together, they set out on a thrilling quest to save the boy’s parents — and the world.
In the new Time Bandits, Lisa Kudrow (Friends) stars as the leader of a gang of time travelers who steal across the continuum, a mission that shifts with the addition of 10-year-old Kevin (Kal-El Tuck), a history buff, and the threat of apocalypse posed by two supernatural beings: The Supreme Being played by Taika Waititi and The Wrongness played by Jemaine Clement, two of the creators behind Apple TV+’s new series adaptation of the original Terry Gillam (Monty Python) 1981 film.
Originally, the plan did not include the co-creators in the series. Waititi jokes, “I usually insert myself into everything I do,” but this time, it was a late decision. Clement explains, “We considered actors like Grace Jones and Ian McKellan, but logistical challenges made it more feasible for us to take the roles.”
As The Supreme Being and Pure Evil, Waititi and Clement have limited screen time. Clement shares a fun fact: “We initially had the opposite roles, so the concept art shows me in Taika’s costumes and him in mine.” Playing these parts was enjoyable, especially for Clement, who admired the Evil Genius character from the original film for his deadpan humor and dark wit.
Their main focus for the remake was casting Kevin. “Finding a great actor to anchor the show was crucial,” says Waititi. “Kevin represents the audience, grounding the crazy adventures. Kal-El Tuck, at just 10 years old, exceeded our expectations.”
The story, both in the original and the new series, revolves around a child’s often-overlooked perspective. Clement notes, “Kids frequently have the best ideas, but they’re often ignored. We wanted to make this relatable for young viewers.”
Whether today’s audience will connect with the series remains to be seen, but Clement points out a significant difference: “Our understanding of history has evolved since 1981. We know more now from archaeological digs and DNA tests. With more time to tell the story, we can explore more places.”
Clement concludes, “We aimed to create something new and relevant for today’s viewers.”
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