If you were one of those ’80s kids that had got your first taste of Fantasy from films like “Willow”, you are in luck. The magical world of George Lucas’ “Willow,” will be returning in a Disney+ series slated to begin production next year. “Willow” is the epic fantasy adventure set in an age of swords, sorcery, myths, and monsters.
The excitement and nostalgia are abounding and we are so excited to see more of Warwick Davis! To have the culmination of creators who have worked on some of our favorite franchises like Star Wars and Indiana join, as well as “Willow”, gives us nothing but hope for good things from this series.
Disney+ is the streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. The streaming service seems to have almost every genre on its service as it is. But it definitely wouldn’t hurt to have some more fantasy in its lineup.
Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood
Howard and Davis Return for “Willow”
Ron Howard, Val Kilmer, and Warwick Davis in Willow (1988)
Ron Howard, director of the original “Willow” film, returns as executive producer on the series with Bob Dolman, writer of the original film, serving as a consulting producer. Howard is also responsible for directing critically acclaimed films like “A Beautiful Mind” and “Apollo 13” and has worked with Lucas Films and Disney in films like “Solo: A Star Wars Story”.
The series, which is Lucasfilm’s first venture into non-Star Wars storytelling since 2015, takes place years after the events of the original “Willow” film. The production plans to return to Wales, where much of the original film was shot. It introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters, and welcomes back its namesake hero, Willow Ufgood, performed once again by the unmatchable Warwick Davis.
“So many fans have asked me over the years if Willow will make a return, and now I’m thrilled to tell them that he will indeed,” says Davis. “Many have told me they grew up with ‘Willow’ and that the film has influenced how they view heroism in our own world. If Willow Ufgood can represent the heroic potential in all of us, then he is a character I am extremely honored to reprise.”
“It’s creatively exciting to not only revisit the world and characters first conceived by George Lucas, Bob Dolman and myself but to see it take flight in such fresh, fun, and cinematic ways through the imagination of Jon Kasdan and Team Willow,” says Howard. “This isn’t a nostalgic throw-back, it’s a creative lean-forward and it’s a blast to be a part of it all.”
Warwick Davis Photo Credit Joel Aron
Jon M. Chu set to direct “Willow” Pilot
Jon M. Chu (“In The Heights,” “Crazy Rich Asians”) is set to direct the pilot and will serve as executive producer along with showrunners Jonathan Kasdan(“Solo”)and Wendy Mericle (“Arrow”). Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot. Chu directed the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical “In the Heights,” which will be released in June 2021.
Jon M. Chu Photo Credit Art Streiber
“Growing up in the ’80s, ‘Willow’ has had a profound effect on me,” says Chu. “The story of the bravest heroes in the least likely places allowed me, an Asian-American kid growing up in a Chinese restaurant looking to go to Hollywood, to believe in the power of our own will, determination and of course, inner magic.”
He goes on to say “So the fact that I get to work with my heroes from Kathleen Kennedy to Ron Howard is bigger than a dream-come-true. It’s a bucket-list moment for me. Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle have added such groundbreaking new characters and delightful surprises to this timeless story that I can’t wait for the world to come along on this epic journey with us.”
Kathleen Kennedy to executive produce
Kathleen Kennedy will serve as an executive producer. “This is an exciting new era for storytelling at Lucasfilm,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “Jon Chu’s vision, coupled with the writing of Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle, is going to take Willow into new and exciting directions for the series. Reuniting Ron Howard and Warwick Davis in the world of ‘Willow’ is something that they’ve both wanted to do for some time, and I couldn’t be more proud of the incredible team we’ve put together to bring this series to Disney+.”
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Born and raised under the California sun. Monica is the Editor-In-Chief at Temple of Geek. She also serves as Executive Producer of The Temple of Geek Podcast, Retro Rebel Podcast, and Portrait of a Fangirl. Lover of all things geeks but especially sci-fi like Doctor Who, The Expanse, Star Wars and Star Trek.
