The show will reimagine Terry Gilliam’s classic 1981 movie for Apple TV+. 

News has broken, via THR,  that Friends star Lisa Kudrow is to lead the television cast of Time Bandits. Based on Terry Gilliam’s classic fantasy film, the story is being adapted for the endlessly deep-pocketed Apple TV+.

The creative force behind the new adaptation is Taika Waititi (Thor: Love + Thunder); he is co-writing and executive producing the show. Plus, he’s directing the first two of the show’s ten episode run.)

For those unfamiliar with the story, it follows the tale of Kevin, an 11-year-old history buff who becomes embroiled in a caper with six dwarves who are stealing historical treasures throughout time. During their trip, they encounter Napoleon, Robin Hood and King Agamemnon – which prompted a stellar cast including Ian Holm, John Cleese and Sean Connery.

The new Time Bandits

With Lisa Kudrow playing Penelope, the show has also cast seven others: Kal-El Tuck plays Kevin, with Charlyne Yi, Tadhg Murphy, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva (Tomb Raider), Rune Temte (Captain Marvel), Kiera Thompson and Rachel House (Thor: Ragnarok).

Paramount Television Studios, Anonymous Content’s AC Studios and MRC Television are producing Time Bandits. Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris and Garrett Basch are the executive producers.

We’ll keep you posted on Time Bandits. In the meantime, here’s the (frankly bizarre) trailer for the original…