We learned in October 2020 that a Willow series had received a series order on Disney+ with Jon M. Chu is slated to direct the pilot for the series with production getting underway sometime next year. With plans to return to Wales to shoot it, it’ll take place after the original film and introduce all-new characters as well while still bringing back Warwick Davis – of course.
With the basics set, some of the casting has now started to surface for the project. The initial round has revealed a trio of female leads for it with Ellie Bamber, Cailee Spaeny, and Erin Kellyman having joined the project. Bamber was most recently seen in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms while Spaeny has a major role in the just-opened The Craft: Legacy. And finally, Kellyman got to work with both Ron Howard and Warwick Davis when she appeared in Solo as Enfys Nest.
All the roles are expected to be new original ones with Bamber playing a character named Dove, “an unassuming kitchen maid.” Dove sets out on an adventure to save a kidnapped prince with a group that includes Spaeny as the prince’s twin brother Kit and Kellyman as her servant and best friend, Jade.
According to Deadline, Chu will also serve as executive producer along with showrunners Jonathan Kasdan (Solo) and Wendy Mericle (Arrow). Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot. Ron Howard, also returns as executive producer on the series with Bob Dolman, writer of the original film, serving as a consulting producer. Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jonathan Kasdan, Wendy Mericle will also serve as executive producers, with Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman as co-executive producers with Julia Cooperman as producer.
The original film landed in 1988 and came from George Lucas and Ron Howard, creating a good little cult following over the years. The original project worked with Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, and Joanne Whalley and did $57 million at the time on its $35 million budget.
Original Concept: Journey to the far corners of your imagination with Willow! A timeless fantasy tale in which heroes comes in all sizes…and adventure is the greatest magic of all. When young Willow Ufgood finds an abandoned baby girl, he learns she is destined to end the reign of the wicked Queen Bavmorda. In order to protect the child, Willow must team up with a rogue swordsman and overcome the forces of darkness in the ultimate battle of good versus evil!
[Source: SuperHeroHype]
