Ron Howard's Willow starred Warwick Davis as a young farmer who stumbles across Elora Danan, an infant who is prophesied to bring about the downfall of the evil Queen Bavmorda. Teaming up with the mercenary swordsman Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), Willow attempts to keep Elora from the clutches of Bavmorda's legions. It's full of magic, adventure, and is just a hell of a lot of fun. The film has grown to become a cult classic over the decades and Lucasfilm is working on a Willow TV series for the Disney+ streaming service.
I'm still pinching myself that a Willow TV series is actually happening, but the cast has continued to come together. Deadline has reported that Tony Revolori, best known for The Grand Budapest Hotel and for playing Flash Thompson in Marvel's Spider-Man franchise, is currently in talks to star in the series alongside Ellie Bamber, Cailee Spaeny, Erin Kellyman, and Warwick Davis. The TV seriess will take place years after the events of the film, and although nothing official has been released, it's said that the series will revolve around a group on a mission to save a kidnapped prince. Ellie Bamber will play Dove, "an unassuming kitchen maid," who is joined by Kit (Spaeny), the princess whose twin brother was abducted, and Jade (Kellyman), Kit's best friend and moral compass. There's also Boorman, a thief and liar who joins the quest in exhange for getting out of prison, not unlike Val Kilmer's character from the original film. It's not clear if that's the role Revolori will be playing, but we'll keep you updated.
Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot and also serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle, but the series is without a director after the exit of Jon M. Chu earlier this month. "I'm heartbroken to let you all know that I, unfortunately, have to step away from directing Willow," Chu said in a statement on Twitter. "With the production schedule moving due to continued lockdowns in the UK, and with a new baby coming this summer (surprise!), the timing is just not going to work out for me and my family."