“Willow” fans–this epic and beloved story will officially continue as Disney has confirmed today Ron Howard’s 1988 fantasy adventure film will be rebooted into a sequel series that will go directly to Disney+.
The series will come to life under the “Crazy Rich Asians” and G.I. Joe: Retaliation’s” director Jon M. Chu. In a recent release by Disney, Chu express excitement for the reboot series, saying:
“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.”
In addition to Chu’s direction, the series will be executive produced by Ron Howard, the director of the original film. In a recent release by Disney, Howard spoke on his excitement on the project, saying:
“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.”
According to Disney, this series, which will be Lucasfilm’s first venture into non-Star Wars storytelling since 2015, will take place years after the events of the original “Willow” film and will introduce all-new characters to the enchanted realm of the fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters. The series will also welcome back its namesake hero, Willow Ufgood, which will be played again by 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 to Disney in a recent release. “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.”
Other notable names working on the project include Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jonathan Kasdan, Wendy Mericle, and Imagine Television. All of which, will serve as executive producers on the project, with Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman as co-executive producers. Additionally, Bob Dolman will serve as consulting producer with Julia Cooperman as producer.
Will you be streaming this epic fantasy series when it premieres on Disney+? Let us know in the comments!
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