Cancellation of Taika Waititi’s Time Bandits Series
Apple TV+ has decided to cancel Taika Waititi’s series “Time Bandits,” which was a loose adaptation of the 1981 Terry Gilliam film. The story revolved around Kevin, an 11-year-old history enthusiast whose extensive knowledge comes in handy as he journeys through time with a quirky bunch of self-proclaimed bandits led by a woman named Penelope, played by Lisa Kudrow. Taika Waititi also starred in the series as the Supreme Being.
Reception and Performance
Despite achieving a 78% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, Deadline reports that Apple TV+ pulled the plug on “Time Bandits.” The series failed to garner enough viewership on the platform and never broke into the Nielsen Top 10 streaming rankings. Although it saw better reception in the U.K., the modern-day setting where Kevin’s story unfolds, the series faced cancellation amid a climate where studios are increasingly cautious about investing in streaming content.
Implications of the Cancellation on the Narrative
Numerous Unresolved Storylines
The first season of “Time Bandits” concluded with significant unresolved plotlines. The map that allowed Kevin, his sister Saffron (Kiera Thompson), and the bandits to navigate time disappeared. With the show’s cancellation, the mystery surrounding the map’s whereabouts remains unsolved. Neither Kevin’s group nor Pure Evil (Jemaine Clement) possesses it, leaving open the possibility that the Supreme Being might have regained it. This map could enable the Supreme Being’s sinister plan to annihilate humanity and forge a new Earth.
Trapped after evading the Fortress of Darkness, Kevin, Saffron, and the bandits cannot continue their time-traveling exploits without the map. Another dangling storyline involves Judy (Charlyne Yi), who was captured by the Supreme Being and remained his prisoner by the end of the season. If the Supreme Being indeed has the map, Judy might hold the key to retrieving it. However, with the series’ cancellation, the fate of the map, Judy, and all the other characters will remain a mystery.
Reflections on the Series’ Cancellation
Time Bandits Deserved a Second Season
Despite its imperfections, “Time Bandits” was a quirky and charming series imbued with Taika Waititi’s signature humor and a touching narrative about a found family. The discontinuation of the series is disappointing, especially with so many questions and character arcs unresolved. “Time Bandits” also featured historical figures in its fantastical tale and offered critiques on how history is often remembered in limited and inaccurate ways. Despite these strengths, “Time Bandits” joins the unfortunate list of series prematurely canceled.
Source: Deadline
Time Bandits
- Adventure
- Comedy
- Fantasy
Eleven-year-old Kevin joins a group of time-traveling thieves on a comedic and perilous adventure. As they navigate through various historical periods, they embark on a mission to save Kevin’s parents and ultimately the world, blending humor with high-stakes drama in this adaptation of Terry Gilliam's cult classic​.