Disney+ greenlights Willow sequel series starring Warwick Davis

The Hollywood Reporter

Lucasfilm is on board to make a sequel series to Ron Howard's 1988 fantasy film with Davis reprising his role as aspiring sorcerer Willow Ufgood and Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu helming the pilot. Howard will serve as executive producer, while Bob Dolman, who wrote the film based on an idea from George Lucas, will serve as a consulting producer. Willow will introduce new characters and will be Lucasfilm's first foray into storytelling outside the Star Wars universe since 2015. Solo: A Star Wars Story writer Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot, while former Arrow executive producer Wendy Mericle will serve as showrunner "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," said 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." Chu adds: "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. 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."