When Lucasfilm’s WILLOW came out in 1988, it only saw moderate success at the box office, which was surprising since the advertising campaign boasted the creative team of George Lucas producing and Ron Howard directing. And that was also a time when fantasy epic films were all the rage in Hollywood. The movie starred Warwick Davis, who gained the attention of Lucas after his endearing work in RETURN OF THE JEDI. Despite WILLOW‘s theater returns, it became a home video favorite, and has developed a strong fan following over the years. In the original film, Davis played a young man who hoped to become a wizard named Willow Ufgood, tasked with transporting a baby named Elora Danan. Joanne Whalley (as Sorsha) and Val Kilmer (as Madmartigan) co-starred, even falling in love in real life afterward. The new series hitting Disney+ brings back Davis and Whalley, with Ron Howard and Jonathan Kasdan producing. Kasdan is the son of legendary writer Lawrence Kasdan, who first discussed developing a sequel to WILLOW with Howard when working on SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. This series is set 20 years after the events of the movie, and the cast includes Ruby Cruz as the daughter of Sorsha and Madmartigan, plus Ellie Bramber, Erin Kellyman and Tony Revolori. Take a look at the trailer, which premiered at STAR WARS CELEBRATION today, and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
An epic period fantasy series with a modern sensibility set in an enchanted land of breathtaking beauty, “Willow” features a diverse international cast with Jonathan Kasdan, Ron Howard, Wendy Mericle, Kathleen Kennedy, and Michelle Rejwan serving as executive producers. The story began with an aspiring magician from a Nelwyn village and an infant girl destined to unite the realms, who together helped destroy an evil queen and banish the forces of darkness. Now, in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, the adventure continues, as an unlikely group of heroes set off on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
