Word has reached the entertainment news bullpen that CRAZY RICK ASIANS and IN THE HEIGHTS helmer Jon. M. Chu is set to direct the pilot episode for an upcoming series based on Lucasfilm's WILLOW for Disney+. In addition to shooting the pilot, Chu will also executive produce with showrunners Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle. Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot.
“Growing up in the ’80s, ‘Willow’ has had a profound effect on me,” says Chu. “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.”
Ron Howard, director of the original Willow film, returns as executive producer on the series with Bob Dolman, writer of the original film, serving as a consulting producer.
“It’s creatively exciting to not only revisit the world and characters first conceived by George Lucas, Bob Dolman and myself but to see it take flight in such fresh, fun, and cinematic ways through the imagination of Jon Kasdan and Team Willow,” says Howard. “This isn’t a nostalgic throw-back, it’s a creative lean-forward and it’s a blast to be a part of it all.”
The series, which is Lucasfilm’s first venture into non-Star Wars storytelling since 2015, takes place years after the events of the original Willow film. It introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters, and welcomes back its namesake hero, Willow Ufgood, performed once again by the unmatchable Warwick Davis.
“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,” says 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.”
In talking about embarking on a whole new era of storytelling, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said, “Jon Chu's vision, coupled with the writing of Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle, is going to take Willow into new and exciting directions for the series. Reuniting Ron Howard and Warwick Davis in the world of ‘Willow’ is something that they've both wanted to do for some time, and I couldn’t be more proud of the incredible team we’ve put together to bring this series to Disney+.”
While I did not see this coming I must confess that I am overjoyed by the idea of Chu leading the charge for Lucasfilm's Willow series. I fell head-over-heels for Crazy Rich Asians when it was released in 2018 and am very much looking forward to Chu's upcoming adaptation of In the Heights as well. Not only is this a great opportunity for him to strut his stuff but we'll also see how he manages a long-form fantasy adventure. Plus, Warwick Davis is coming back, y'all! If that's not the sweetest news of the day I don't know what is. Let's do this!