‘Willow’ Returns 34 Years After the Original Film With a Disney+ Series
One of the industry’s classic fantasy movies is set to return, but this time as a series. Willow was a 1988 dark fantasy movie about a child prophecized to have great power. The child comes into the protection of an aspiring sorcerer, Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis). Titled under the same name, Willow marks the continuation of the magical story with returning characters for Disney+.
‘Willow’ movie was not an instant success when it first premiered
The creator of Willow is familiar to many fans as he is the mastermind behind the infamous Star Wars franchise. George Lucas developed the idea for Willow in 1972 and brought on actor Warwick Davis for the leading role as the Nelwyn (little people) sorcerer in training. The movie was not as successful as many people hoped.
The movie gained a cult following in the years that followed. It is now regarded as a gem in the world of fantasy and magic. Willow focuses on a prophecy about the birth of a child with a rune birthmark that would bring down the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh).
Despite her efforts, the child is born and smuggled away to safety and found by a village of Nelwyn. Willow and his family take in the child, but the village is attacked, and they realize the baby needs further protection. He and a few comrades venture on a dangerous journey to find a new family for the baby while evading the plans of the evil queen.
Disney+’s ‘Willow’ series is set 20 years after the original movie
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Willow for Disney+ takes place many years after the first movie’s events. Produced by Lucasfilms, the new series includes Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle as co-showrunners, with Jonathan Entwistle as the director. The official teaser depicts what magic and journey awaits Willow once again as Davis returns to reprise the role.
A female voice narrates that a child has been born destined to become an empress. Joining her destined path is a hero who will protect her as the trailer reveals a much older Willow. Willow narrates that the world is built on a balance between good and evil. When the world’s balance is disrupted, it looks for a way to rectify itself.
The trailer teases that the famed child from the Willow will return for the Disney+ series. She is in grave peril as a group of new characters search for Willow to help. Fans also see Willow sporting a new magical wand but in the form of a staff. But the teaser also reveals the return of Willow’s iconic zig-zag wand.
Willow’s storyline focuses on a princess who bands together a group of characters to save her twin brother. The characters embark on a quest that forces them to face their inner demons and save humanity.
‘Willow’ will premiere in the Fall on Disney+
Fans of the original movie are cheering with glee to see the return of Davis as Willow. According to The Hollywood Reporter, when the series was announced in 2020, Davis saw a silver lining in returning as the character.
“Many [fans] have told me they grew up with Willow and that the film has influenced how they view heroism in our own world,” said Davis. “If Willow Ufgood can represent the heroic potential in all of us, then he is a character I am extremely honored to reprise.”
New characters and actors join Davis. Ruby Cruz joins the series as one of the title characters, Kit, the princess looking to save her twin brother. Erin Kellyman will play the role of Jade, a warrior in training and friend of Kit. Also joining the cast for Disney+’s Willow is Ellie Bamber as Dove, a kitchen maid. Amer Chadha-Patel will play Boorman, a thief hesitant to join the quest.
Spiderman: Homecoming actor Tony Revolori will also star in a leading role not been yet announced. Willow is set to premiere on Disney+ on November 30.
