Jon M. Chu Steps Away From Directing Lucasfilm's WILLOW Sequel Series
Jon M. Chu has announced on Twitter with a heavy heart that he will be stepping away from Lucasfilm’s Willow sequel series. Chu was set to direct, but he explained that “the timing is just not going to work for me and my family” because of “the production schedule moving due to continued lockdowns in the UK,” and there’s also the fact that he has a new baby on the way. Here’s his full statement:
While it’s a bummer that he had to drop out, his reasons why are completely understandable. I’m sure that the team at Lucasfilm understands as well, and there’s no doubt that they’ll find another great director to replace him. I’m actually hoping that producer Ron Howard, who directed the original film, jumps in to do it. But, we’ll see!
Jonathan Kasdan (Solo) wrote the pilot episode and will act as showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle (Arrow). The epic fantasy adventure is set in an age of swords, sorcery, myths and monsters. The series 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.“
Howard previously shared the following statemenet:
“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. 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.”
Star Warwick Davis added:
“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. 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.”
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy also said:
“This is an exciting new era for storytelling at Lucasfilm. 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+.”
Erin Kellyman (Solo), Cailee Spaeny (The Craft: Legacy), and Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals) are set to join the cast of the sequel series and they will play the three female leads. It’s said that the story revolves around a group on a mission to save a kidnapped prince.
The members of this group 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.”
Is there anyone that you’d like to see come in and direct the show?