Fantasy is a genre that was once relegated to few films due to budgetary constraints and challenges with special effects. Before Peter Jackson revolutionized the genre with 2001’s The Lord of the Rings, the biggest fantasy epic on the big screen was 1988’s Willow. Created by George Lucas, Willow chronicled the exploits of a diminutive sorcerer in training who must protect a baby destined to be the next queen from the evil Bavmorda. It was an amazing film to see as a kid and I have waited for years for more adventures from this universe.
Lucasfilm’s first non-Star Wars project for Disney+ is here in the form of the long-awaited sequel to Ron Howard’s epic fantasy film. Reuniting star Warwick Davis with Joanne Whalley, Willow picks up decades after the movie with a sprawling epic series that looks at the now-adult Princess Elora Dannan and a crew of heroes and rogues as they embark to save their kingdom from the clutches of evil. Bigger and even more spectacular, this series is far more impressive than anything Disney+ has aired so far and rivals fantasy series like House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power.
I had the chance to discuss Willow with quite a few members of the cast as well as series creator Jon Kasdan. Kasdan shared how his love for the fantasy film has been expanded with inspiration from George Lucas’ sequel trilogy of novels with an all-new story. I also spoke with Erin Kellyman, a veteran of Star Wars and Marvel, about playing the warrior Jade. Amar Chadha-Patel spoke about playing the Madmartigan-esque rogue Boorman while Dempsey Byrk and Ruby Cruz talked about laughing on the set and portraying royal twins Airk and Kit. Tony Revolori talked about portraying a major character in the group rather than a supporting role while Ellie Bamber and I reflected on having previously met on the set of one of her first films, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Check out the full interview in the embed above.
Willow premieres on November 30th on Disney+.