Yahoo Finance Disney+ confirms Willow series with original star
Disney+ has finally confirmed that the long-touted series based on Ron Howard's classic 1988 movie Willow is officially happening.
Star of the original film Warwick Davis is set to reprise his role in the show, while Crazy Rich Asians' Jon M Chu will serve as executive producer as well as directing the first episode.
The series' pilot was written by Solo: A Star Wars Story's Jonathan Kasdan, who will also serve as showrunner alongside Arrow's Wendy Mericle.
Howard will also serve as an executive producer of the series, while the film's screenwriter, Bob Dolman, will be a consulting producer. Lucasfilm will produce.
Speaking about the project to The Hollywood Reporter, Chu said: "Growing up in the '80s, Willow has had a profound effect on me.
"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."
Davies said: "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.
"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 honoured to reprise."
Last year, Howard spoke about the possibility of a Willow series, admitting Kasdan had been "hounding" him to reboot Willow for Disney+.
"I think it'd be a great way to go," Howard said. "In fact, George always talked about the possibility of a Willow series, and it'd be great and more intimate, and built around that character and some of the others.
"And Jon Kasdan has, I think, an inspired take on it and it could be really, really cool."
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