Time Bandits remake airs on TV amid dwarfism row
The highly-anticipated Taika Waititi remake of hit 1980s fantasy flick Time Bandits has aired on Apple TV+ – following a row over its casting choices.
The new series, an adaptation of the much-loved 1981 Terry Gilliam film, has largely been met with approval with positive reviews from critics.
But the remake has faced criticism from the granddaughter of an actor who starred in the original for not casting actors with dwarfism.
Production of the series was also marred by controversy after one of the stars alleged that they were subjected to physical and psychological abuse while on set.
The highly-anticipated Taika Waititi remake of hit 1980s fantasy flick Time Bandits has aired on Apple TV+ – following a row over its casting choices
Abbie Grace took to social media to voice her disappointment that no one with short stature was listed in the initial cast announcement
While the series was in production, Abbie Grace took to social media to voice her disappointment that no one with dwarfism was listed in the cast announcement.
Ms Grace is the granddaughter of Jack Purvis – who played Wally in the original – and she previously demanded an explanation for why the director is ‘tarnishing her late grandfather’s legacy’.
Abbie, who is also an actress from Scotland, added in 2022 that she feels ‘forgotten’, after initially feeling excited about the opportunities the upcoming release may offer for actors of shorter stature like herself.
While there are some actors in the cast with dwarfism, according to IMDB, it has been noted that the Time Bandits themselves are now made up of able-bodied actors.
The 10-episode action drama series stars Lisa Kudrow from Friends and Mr Waititi from Jojo Rabbit.
Mr Waititi’s production is based on Terry Gilliam’s 1981 film of the same name which starred industry Hollywood heavyweights like Sean Connery, John Cleese and Ian Holm.
The fantasy movie followed the adventures of a young boy called Kevin, played by Craig Warnock.
The original famously featured six actors with dwarfism in key roles, including Abbie’s grandfather Mr Purvis, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker (best known for playing R2-D2 in Star Wars), Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, and Tiny Ross.
Speaking in a TikTok video, Ms Grace said: ‘When I heard there was going to be a series, I was over the moon.
‘I happen to also be an actor, thanks to my grandfather and I finally thought that people like me were going to be represented in my generation and not always have to refer to an 80s film.’
She then discussed finding out that ‘average height’ actors have been cast, feeling ‘baffled’ by the choice.
Defending their casting decisions, co-writer Mr Waititi explained that while they initially wrote the script with some main characters as people with dwarfism, they did not think the film ‘should be defined, because of the presence of little people in it’.
Co-writer Jemaine Clement said the creative team wrestled with the casting decision, with ‘two big sides of this debate’.
He added that they responded to the backlash by creating roles for ‘smaller actors’ after the initial casting news broke and said that, should they receive a second season, these roles would have a more significant presence.
The fantasy movie followed the adventures of a young boy called Kevin – played by Craig Warnock – and famously featured six actors of shorter stature in the main cast, including Abbie’s grandfather Jack, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, and Tiny Ross
Deadline earlier reported that Apple finally greenlit the project which has been in development since 2019. A shot from the original film pictured
Lisa Kudrow (left) joins a cast which boasts Kal-El Tuck from Unseeing Evil, House star Charlyne Yi (right) and Martyrs Lane actress Kiera Thompson
The granddaughter of Jack Purvis (pictured) – who played Wally in the original – previously demanded an explanation for why the director is ‘tarnishing her late grandfather’s legacy’
The new release is based on Terry Gilliam’s 1981 film of the same name which starred Sean Connery, John Cleese and Ian Holm among others
Abbie continued: ‘Time Bandits is the only film that’s ever represented people like me in a way that isn’t seen as a goblin or one of Snow White’s seven little men.
‘This was a film that changed the times and it was ahead of the times to be honest because people like me weren’t treated the same as they are now.
‘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.’
It is not the first time that Hollywood’s casting choices have cause controversy. Disney blockbuster Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, faced criticism for removing the seven dwarves from the title and replacing them with CGI characters.
Disney said this was done in order ‘to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film’ and said it was ‘taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community’.
Meanwhile the 2012 Kristen Stewart film Snow White and the Huntsman also attracted controversy for casting Ray Winstone, Ian McShane and Bob Hoskins in the roles of the dwarves and digitally attaching their faces to the bodies of people of restricted growth.
The Time Bandits remake was also marred by controversy after Charlyne Yi alleged they were physically and psychologically abused on the set.
The Hollywood actor, 38, who uses they/them pronouns, was cast as Judy in the the fantasy adventure remake.
Yi has alleged that while filming in New Zealand in 2022 they were ‘physically assaulted multiple times’ and ‘psychologically abused’ by an unnamed male actor.
When this cam to light, Paramount Television Studios said in a statement: ‘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.’
