Time Bandits on Apple TV+ controversies: From abuse claims to 'absurd' casting choices

Time Bandits, a 1980s classic adventure film, is being resurrected for Apple TV+ but even before the show’s release, the adaptation has been making headlines.

History buff 11-year-old Kevin’s world takes an unexpected turn when a portal that takes him through space and time opens up in his bedroom and he meets a gang of thieves.

Starring Friends’ Lisa Kudrow and Jojo Rabbit’s Taika Waititi, the 10-part action-drama is expected to go down a storm with subscribers, although there has been some controversy along the way.

Abuse claims

Judy actor Charlyne Yi, who uses they/them pronouns, alleges they were physically and psychologically abused on the set of Time Bandits.

The 38-year-old alleged during filming in New Zealand in 2022, they were “physically assaulted multiple times” and “psychologically abused” by an unnamed male actor.

Yi posted the allegations in a series of Instagram posts claiming that they were “coerced to quit” the film and was “gaslit by co-workers”.

The actor also claimed they had a back injury while filming and were denied workers’ compensation for the alleged injury.

In a statement, Paramount Television Studios said: “'The safety of our cast and crew is very important to us, and we take all concerns that are raised to us very seriously.

“At the time of the complaint, Paramount Television Studios conducted a full investigation regarding allegations that were brought to our attention.

“While all investigations are confidential and we cannot comment on specifics, additional steps were taken to address concerns.”

Casting choices

In the original Time Bandits movie, the gang of thieves are played by numerous actors with dwarfism but this is not the case in the Apple TV+ remake.

This has led to some backlash with Abbie Purvis, the granddaughter of actor Jack Purvis, who played Wally in the movie, taking to TikTok to condemn the casting.

She said: “For a generation that is so big on talking about inclusivity and diversity and making sure that everyone’s heard, this whole casting choice just seems absurd.”

In defence of their casting choices, co-writer Taika Waititi said that they initially wrote the script with some of the main cast as people with dwarfism but didn’t think the film “should be defined, because of the presence of little people in it”.

Co-writer Jemaine Clement also stated that they reacted to the complaints by adding parts for “smaller actors” following the casting announcement.

Clement also stated that if they were to be given a second season, these roles would be more prominently featured.

Time Bandits premieres on Wednesday, July 24, on Apple TV+.