Willow Disney+ series: Jonathan Entwistle takes over as pilot director

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu was hyped to have the chance to direct the pilot episode of the Disney+ series that serves as a follow-up to the 1988 dark fantasy film Willow (watch it HERE), but it just wasn't to be. A change in the production schedule conflicted with an event in Chu's personal life, so he had to leave the project. Stepping in to replace him at the helm of the pilot is Jonathan Entwistle.

Entwistle's previous credits include developing and serving as the main director on the series The End of the F***ing World and co-creating, writing, and directing the show I Am Not Okay with This. He's currently working with Hasbro on a new take on Power Rangers.

On getting involved with the Willow series, Entwistle said: 

With its epic world of swords, sorcery and adventure, Willow captivated and influenced so many. I’m excited to be going on this journey and working with (showrunners Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle) to create something that is both deeply rooted in that original film and also a fresh, funny and charming addition to the beloved story. To be able to play within the world so painstakingly crafted by Ron back in '88 is a dream come true for me."

Entwistle will also be earning an executive producer credit alongside Kasdan, Mericle, Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, and the film's director Ron Howard.

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 Ufgood (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. Julia Cooperman is producer, and Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman are 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. 

Warwick Davis reprises the role of Willow Ufgood, and is joined in the cast by Ellie Bamber, Cailee Spaeny, Erin Kellyman, and Tony Revolori. 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.

Filming will begin in Wales, where much of the movie was shot, in the spring.