Taika Waititi addresses why his TV seriesTime Bandits, a reimagining of the cult classic 1981 movie, was canceled after one season on Apple TV+ despite generally favorable reviews. The series followed the adventures of 11-year-old Kevin (Kal-El Tuck), a young history buff who joins a group of bumbling, time-traveling bandits led by Penelope (Lisa Kudrow). Featuring Waititi as the Supreme Being alongside long-time collaborator Jemaine Clement as Pure Evil, the show aimed to adapt theoriginalTime Banditsmovie’s surreal storytelling for modern audiences with Waititi’s iconic quirks.
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly,Waititi explained the reasons behind the show’s untimely cancelationdespite earning a respectable 76% score on Rotten Tomatoes. According to the New Zealand filmmaker, the decision came down to production costs, asthe series was deemed too expensiveto continueregardless of its critical success. Reflecting on his short-lived experience with the fantasy TV show, Waititi said:
This is a show that lasted one glorious season. “Why didn’t it have another season, Taika, tell us, tell us!” Alright, I’ll tell you.Too expensive.My favorite thing about this show was that we got to shoot in New Zealand. If you ever get a chance to come to New Zealand, don’t. We don’t want you.
But, I will say, from what I can report, it’s a great place and if you ever get a chance to shoot down there—you won’t get a chance, we don’t want you—but… Yeah, that’s my favorite memory. Being at home, with my countrymen, shooting Time Bandits.
What Time Bandit’s Abrupt Cancelation Means
The Short-Lived Fantasy Series Points To A Broader Industry Trend
The cancelation ofTime Banditsmarks another not-so-glorious setback for Waititi following the cancelation ofOur Flag Means Deathby HBO/Max after its critically acclaimed second season. Despite resonating with critics,Time Bandits' star-studded caststruggled to capture the attention of general audiences,earning a low 48% audience scoreon Rotten Tomatoes. The originalTime Banditsfilm, directed by Terry Gilliam, was received much more favorably with a 91% Tomatometer score, alongside a 77% audience score.
This trend also mirrors the broader challenges faced by streaming platforms like Apple TV+, Max, and Netflix, which are gettingincreasingly faster at canceling shows that don’t immediately achieve high viewership or global buzz. Even relatively well-received projects such asOur Flag Means Death,Time Bandits, or Netflix’sKAOSare not immune to the industry’s demand for instant and overwhelming success, leaving many stories unfinished and audiences frustrated.
The Strange Adventure Revival Will Be Missed
Waititi’sTime Banditswas a fantasy series full of humor, heart, and adventure that felt tailor-made for fans of offbeat fantasy. Its cancelationunderscores the harsh realities of the streaming landscape, where even a high-quality series with critics' approval struggles to justify its budget without massive audience engagement.
While it’s disappointing to see such a charmingly weird show such asTime Banditsend prematurely,Waititi’s dedication to bold storytelling remains evident, and his willingness to take creative risks is nonetheless celebrated. With multiple projects in development, including a film adaptation ofKlara and the Sunwith Jenna Ortega, Waititi still has ample opportunity to regain his footing and continue delighting audiences worldwide.
Time Bandits
Cast
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.
