Lucasfilm to begin filming Willow in Wales in March

Lucasfilm is to begin filming a Willow television series for Disney+ in March, it has been revealed.

The TV spinoff will be set decades after Ron Howard’s 1988 film, and Warwick Davis will return in the role of the great sorcerer, Willow Ufgood.

The producers say are aiming to capture the spirit of adventure, heroics, and humour of the original. The film was conceived by Star Wars creator George Lucas

Jon Chu, director of the Crazy Rich Asians, is directing the pilot, and the show is due to debut on Disney+ in 2022.

‘Exciting’ 

Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport has welcomed the news.

He said: “Tremendous that the ‘Willow’ spin-off with @WarwickADavis will begin shooting in Wales next March and will debut on Disney+ in 2022.

“Exciting to get a major @Lucasfilm_Ltd production to boost the Welsh production sector.

The Welsh Government has developed strong ties with Lucasfilm through its Pembrokeshire-born executive vice-president Lynwen Brennan.

Film and TV is a key sector in the Welsh Government’s new international strategy.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy recently announced a large number of new projects, which include a Star Wars feature film called Rogue Squadron, as well as a series called Obi-Wan Kenobi which will see Ewan McGregor return to play the iconic role of Jedi Master.

Disney tweeted: “Willow, an Original Series from Lucasfilm starring Warwick Davis, with pilot directed by @JonMChu, is coming in 2022 to @DisneyPlus.”