Rumours Time Bandits sequel to be shot in New Zealand after Taika Waititi visit

Last month, the New Zealand-born Hollywood film-maker visited Larnach Castle. Photo / Getty Images

Taika Waititi's recent visit to Dunedin on a search for filming locations for an upcoming production has sent the rumour mill churning that Time Bandits may be shot there.

Last month, the New Zealand-born Hollywood film-maker visited Larnach Castle, Wedderburn and Glenorchy, and was also pictured in Dunedin with former Flight of The Conchords star Jemaine Clement.

Waititi has been widely reported as an executive producer, co-writer and director of the television series adaptation of the beloved 1981 Terry Gilliam-directed movie, which is in development at Apple.

Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage is also reported to have been offered the lead role in the series, which is expected to begin production in August and wrap early next year.

Enterprise Dunedin economic development manager Fraser Liggett said Film Otago Southland was delighted to support the recent film scouting in Dunedin, but he could not comment further.

Waititi's agent Gail Cowan Management Ltd also declined to comment.

Monarch talent agency owner Tracie Patel, of Queenstown, said she had also heard the rumours, but had not heard any official information about it yet.

''I'm hoping that the rumours are true.''

Time Bandits centres on a young boy who discovers a time-travelling portal in his bedroom.

A poster for the original Time Bandits movie. Photo / Supplied

The original film starred Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Michael Palin, and Peter Vaughn.

It followed a young history buff named Kevin (Craig Warnock), who got the shock of his life when six dwarves emerged from his closet and took him with them on their quest to different historical eras to steal treasure.

Kevin and the dwarves visited the likes of Napoleon, Robin Hood and King Agamemnon while being chased by the Supreme Being.