Willow Disney+ series: Director Jon M. Chu departs over scheduling issues

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Just two and a half months ago, it was announced that Jon M. Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jem and the Holograms, Now You See Me 2, Crazy Rich Asians) would be directing a Disney+ series that serves as a follow-up to the 1988 dark fantasy film Willow (watch it HERE), with Warwick Davis reprising the title role. Chu said that Willow had a "profound effect" on him, and that getting to work on this continuation was "bigger than a dream come true", a "bucket list moment" for him. Unfortunately, Chu is not going to be able to direct the show after all. He has released a statement saying that he has run into scheduling issues: 

I'm heartbroken to let you all know that I unfortunately have to step away from directing Willow. 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 for me and my family. 

As you may know, Willow has been one of my favorite movies since I was a child, so I’m devastated that I won’t be able to work with my heroes old and new like Kathy, Ron, Jon, Wendy, Michelle, and the amazing cast and crew they’ve put together. Like a kid seeing Willow for the first time in the '80s, I will look forward to watching this magical new world unfold as a very enthusiastic fan. And boy do they have an adventure in store for you! I can't wait for you all to experience it soon."

The people Chu names in that statement are executive producers Kathleen Kennedy, Ron Howard, Jonathan Kasdan, Wendy Mericle, and Michelle Rejwan. Kasdan wrote the pilot episode of the series and serves as showrunner alongside Mericle.

Scripted by Bob Dolman from a story by George Lucas, the original film had the following synopsis: 

Journey to the far corners of your imagination, where dreams and reality live side by side. Enter the world of WILLOW, the biggest and most spectacular epic adventure to ever explode across the screen. From master storytellers George Lucas and Ron Howard comes this rare odyssey of unlikely heroes, wicked villains, and innocent souls caught in a mysterious realm of battle, magic, and camaraderie.

It all begins with Willow Ufood (Warwick Davis), who leaves his village to carry a special baby to safety. Aided by a swashbuckling warrior (Val Kilmer), Willow's quest is plagued by danger as the Powers of Darkness scheme to destroy the child – a child destined to bring everlasting peace and freedom to the land.

Dolman is a consulting producer on the series, with Julia Cooperman producing and Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman serving as co-executive producers.

The series will 

take place years after the events of the original film. It introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters, and welcomes back its hero, Willow Ufgood. 

Davis is joined in the cast by Ellie Bamber, Cailee Spaeny, and Erin Kellyman. According to casting information, the series follows 

a group on a mission to save a kidnapped prince. The members of the team include Dove (Bamber), whose backstory resembles that of Willow from the movie. Dove is an unassuming kitchen maid who proves she is the “chosen one” as she embarks on the journey. She is joined by Kit (Spaeny), the princess whose twin brother was abducted. She is destined to be a leader and ultimately the queen. Kellyman plays Jade, a servant who is Kit’s best friend and moral compass. She is on her way to becoming the best young warrior in the kingdom. Also part of the group is a guy who echoes Val Kilmer’s character in the movie. A thief and liar, he joins the quest in exchange for getting out of prison.

The series will be filming in Wales, where much of the movie was shot, sometime this year.