“Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Watiti will direct Apple’s upcoming television series adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s 1981 fantasy film “Time Bandits,” which is currently in development.
The original film told the crazy, multi-dimensional story of an English youngster, Kevin, who discovers his wardrobe contains a time hole. A group of six dwarves come through the hole and proceed to lead Kevin on a series of adventures across history, making stops in ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, Napoleonic times and the early 1900s, before confronting Evil when they arrive at the Fortress of Ultimate Darkness.
Apple acquired the television rights to “Time Bandits” back in the summer of 2018. The original film starred John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Kenny Baker, Katherine Helmond, Jim Broadbent, and others.
In addition to “Thor: Ragnarok,” Waititi is known for his work on “What We Do in the Shadows,” the TV adaptation of the horror mockumentary premieres March 27 on FX, and his next film, “Jojo Rabbit,” is slated to premiere this fall.
Apple’s version of “Time Bandits” will be co-produced by Paramount TV, Anonymous Content, and Media Rights Capital. Waititi will direct and co-write the pilot, and will executive producing alongside Gilliam and producer Dan Halsted.