The magical world of George Lucas’ “Willow,” the epic fantasy adventure set
in an age of swords, sorcery, myths and monsters, will be
returning in a Disney+ series slated to begin production
next year.
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.
“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. 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.”
Chu directed the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel
Miranda's musical “In the Heights,” which will be released
in June 2021. He will also direct and serve as executive
producer for the pilot of ABC’s Medical Drama “Triage.”
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 consulting producer.
“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.”
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. 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.”
“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+.”
Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jon M. Chu,
Jonathan Kasdan, Wendy Mericle, Ron Howard and Imagine
Television will serve as executive producers, with Roopesh
Parekh and Hannah Friedman as co-executive
producers. Additionally, Bob Dolman will serve as
consulting producer with Julia Cooperman as producer.
The production plans to return to the dramatic
and enchanted landscapes of Wales, where much of the
original film was shot.
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