LOS ANGELES — Lisa Kudrow and her team faced the challenge of adapting the cult-classic film “Time Bandits” into a television series. Kudrow expressed excitement in exploring more details of the film’s world through the series. The Apple TV+ series, set to premiere on July 24, follows a group of time-traveling thieves, with Kudrow playing the lead role of Penelope.
The series, created by Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, and Iain Morris, is inspired by the 1981 film directed by Terry Gilliam. While staying true to some aspects of the original movie, the creators aimed to provide a fresh take on the story, rather than producing a mere imitation. One significant change was in the casting of the bandits, moving away from actors with dwarfism, which initially faced criticism from the dwarfism community.
Waititi and Clement responded to the feedback by including roles for smaller actors and committed to further representation in potential future seasons. The creators themselves also appear in recurring roles in the series. Kal-El Tuck, a young actor playing Kevin, the heart of the show, shared his approach of not watching the original film to shape his unique portrayal.
Kudrow commended Tuck as a generous actor and highlighted the improvisational nature of the bandits’ interactions on set. Despite initial nerves, Kudrow found the project to be a fun experience, feeling like she was “playing” while working. While the series deviates from the film in certain aspects, it strives to uphold the humor and heart of the original, appealing to both existing fans and a new generation of viewers.
