Apple TV Plus Cancels Time Bandits Reboot of 80s Fantasy Movie After One Season
Apple TV Plus has decided to cancel the fantasy show Time Bandits after just one season. The series, which was added to the streaming platform in late July, failed to secure a renewal for a second season despite receiving a 78% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
Time Bandits, a series adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s 1981 cult classic movie, was created by Taikia Waititi, Jemaine Clement, and Iain Morris. The show was praised for its nostalgic nod to the original blockbuster, with The Guardian describing it as a “confident, hilarious romp through history.” However, the positive reviews were not enough to save the show from being axed.
According to Deadline, the show did not attract a large enough audience and failed to break into Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings. This cancellation adds Time Bandits to the list of canned series for fantasy fans to mourn, alongside other canceled shows like My Lady Jane on Prime Video and The Grimm Reality on Netflix.
Time Bandits follows the story of an 11-year-old history buff named Kevin, played by Kal-El Tuck, who discovers a time-traveling portal in his wardrobe and joins a group of expert thieves led by Penelope, played by Lisa Kudrow. As they embark on fantastical adventures stealing valuable treasures, they encounter enchanting distant worlds and rely on Kevin to navigate various situations. The series also features Charlyne Yi, Rune Temte, Tadhg Murphy, Kiera Thompson, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, and Rachel House, with guest appearances by the show creators.
The cancellation of Time Bandits adds to the list of shows dropped by Apple TV Plus, including Schmigadoon! and Central Park. Despite these cancellations, there are still plenty of new movies and shows on Apple TV Plus to look forward to in September 2024.
In conclusion, the cancellation of Time Bandits serves as a reminder of the competitive landscape of streaming services, where even well-received shows can face uncertain futures based on viewership metrics and platform priorities.
