Posted in: Disney+, Preview, Trailer, TV | Tagged: disney, lucasfilm, preview, trailer, willow

Willow: Christian Slater on Joining Series, Honoring Val Kilmer & More

During Lucasfilm's D23 Expos 2022 presentation on Saturday, fans of the upcoming series sequel to George Lucas and Ron Howard's 1988 film Willow were treated to some exciting news and previews of what's to come. Warwick Davis (Willow Ufgood) was joined by co-stars Joanne Whalley (Sorsha), Ruby Cruz (Kit), Erin Kellyman (Jade), Ellie Bamber (Dove), Dempsey Bryk (Airk), Amar Chadha-Patel (Boorman), and Tony Revolori (Graydon) to not only preview a brand new trailer (below) but to offer special casting surprise. To the excitement of those in attendance (and on social media, based on the reaction), Christian Slater (Mr. Robot) was welcomed to the stage as the newest member of the cast (reportedly as a "friend" of Val Kilmer's Madmartigan, with Kilmer unable to return for the series).

While his on-stage time was limited, Slater had more time to not only offer some very kind words about joining the streaming series as well as what the film means to him and being respectful to what Kilmer brought to the franchise's universe in the original film:

And here's a look at some new official preview images that were released during the presentation:

Here's a look at the official trailer for Willow, hitting Disney+ screens on November 30th:

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.

Set to focus on the group's mission to save a prince, the series also features Ellie Bamber's (Nocturnal Animals) Dove, an unassuming kitchen maid who proves that she is the "chosen one" as she embarks on the journey. Ruby Cruz's (Castle Rock) Kit is the princess whose twin brother was abducted, destined to be a leader and ultimately the queen. Erin Kellyman's (Solo) Jade is a servant who is also Kit's best friend and moral compass- and on her way to becoming the best young warrior in the kingdom. Amar Chadha-Patel (Doom: Annihilation) plays Boorman, a thief & liar who joins the quest in exchange for getting out of prison. Tony Revolori ("Spider-Man" films), Dempsey Bryk (The Birch, Heartland), Talisa Garcia (Baptiste), and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (Game of Thrones) also star.

So with the series set to hit the streamer this November, here's a look at the video featuring the cast of Disney+ & Lucasfilm's Willow that was released last year (though it seems like David might have to remind his castmates that there was actually a movie that it's based on- one released before they were born, apparently):

Original film writer Bob Dolman serves as a consulting producer, with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan executive producing. Howard's Imagine Television will produce, with Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman serving as co-executive producers on behalf of the company; Julia Cooperman will produce. While far from a box office failure, the Davis-Val Kilmer (Heat) starrer would earn only $110M on a $35M budget. At a time when budgets for films were nowhere close to where they are today, a $35M investment was expected to yield deeper profits than Willow earned. There's still no word on if the new series will utilize George Lucas and Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont's trilogy of novels as source material for the pilot: 1995's Shadow Moon, 1996's Shadow Dawn, and 1999's Shadow Star. Series producing director Stephen Woolfenden (Outlander) directed the first two episodes.

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