Willow (franchise)

Lore & Background

George Lucas conceived the idea for the film in 1972, originally titling it Munchkins. He approached Ron Howard to direct during the post-production of Cocoon in 1985. Bob Dolman wrote the screenplay, producing seven drafts with Lucas's active involvement, finishing in late 1986. The film was set up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, with principal photography from April to October 1987, primarily in Dinorwic quarry in Wales, with additional work at Elstree Studios. Industrial Light & Magic created the visual effects, achieving a breakthrough with digital morphing technology.

Reader's Guide

Released on May 20, 1988, Willow received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the visual effects, humor, character designs, and Warwick Davis's performance, but criticized the direction, pacing, tone, and story. It grossed $137.6 million worldwide against a $35 million budget, turning a profit through international box office, home video, and television returns. The film received two Academy Award nominations. A television series serving as a sequel was released on Disney+ in 2022. The franchise's significance lies in its pioneering digital morphing effects and its enduring appeal as a fantasy adventure, leading to a sequel series decades later.

Did You Know?

• The film featured a revolutionary breakthrough with digital morphing technology, created by Industrial Light & Magic.
• The character General Kael was named after film critic Pauline Kael, who noted it as an 'homage a moi' in her review.
• The two-headed dragon in the film was called an 'Eborsisk' after film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert.