Disney’s Willow series cast expands by three

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

George Lucas and Ron Howard's cult classic fantasy WILLOW is one step closer to a Disney+ sequel as three actresses are on the verge of joining the cast. While Disney+ has declined to comment, sources have Ellie Bamber (NOCTURNAL ANIMALS), Cailee Spaeny (THE CRAFT: LEGACY), and Erin Kellyman (SOLO) joining Warwick Davis in the further adventures of the Lucasfilm tale.

While an official synopsis has yet to be revealed, Deadline has the following potential plot details: 

Willow revolves around 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 that 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 Willow series marks the first non-STAR WARS project from Lucasfilm since being acquired by Disney in 2015. The project hails from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle, and Jon M. Chu, who will direct the pilot episode. The original film's director Ron Howard and writer Bob Dolman are also on board.

You can't see me right now, but I'm rubbing my hands together in anticipation of this upcoming series. WILLOW was business back in the day, and I've always been of the mind that the story could be continued in grand fashion. With so much of the original film's talent on the ground floor and Chu also being a part of the mix, I don't see how this could fail. Plus, I'm always down to see Warwick Davis do his thing.