Children of the '80s rejoice, it's been announced that THOR: RAGNAROK and JOJO RABBIT helmer Taika Waititi has been tapped to co-write and direct the pilot for a potential series adaptation of TIME BANDITS, base on Terry Gilliam's classic fantasy adventure film.
Co-produced by Anonymous Content, Paramount Television and Media Rights Capital, the upcoming project aims to launch an extended version of Gillaim's original tale that centers on a young boy who accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal. Waititi will also executive produce alongside Gilliam and producer Dan Halsted.
As one of the first great fantasy films of the '80s, Gilliam's TIME BANDITS helped pave the way for films the likes of LABYRINTH, THE DARK CRYSTAL, THE NEVERENEDING STORY, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, LEGEND, WILLOW, KRULL, and many more. At the time of its release, adults and children of all ages delighted in the journey of Kevin, an 11-year-old history buff who, one night, stumbles on six dwarfs who emerge from his closet. They are former workers of the Supreme Being who have stolen a map that charts all the holes in the space-time fabric, using it to hop from one historical era to the next in order to steal riches. Throughout the movie, they meet various historical and fictional characters, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, while the Supreme Being simultaneously tries to catch up to them and retrieve the map. (via Deadline)
Truth be told, I don't recall much about TIME BANDITS, though I know plenty of people around my age who are bound to be excited by this news. Moreover, Waititi strikes me as the perfect choice to headline this quirky, time-wimey fantasy property. I suppose the question now is: When can we expect Warwick Davis and Peter Dinklage to join the cast? Both are no strangers to high fantasy action, and I can easily see them leading the charge into the unknown.
We'll be sure to bring you more news on Apple's TIME BANDITS project as it develops. Meanwhile, it was not that long ago that Taika Waititi's JOJO RABBIT entered its post-production phase. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Alfie Allen, Stephen Merchant, and Waititi himself as Adolf Hitler. The upcoming war time comedy is said to focus on a young boy in Hitler's army who finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish boy in their home. JOJO RABBIT is set for release later this year.