Disney+’s TV series based on the 1988 movie Willow has found its lead in Castle Rock‘s Ruby Cruz. Cruz starred in that Hulu series second season as a younger version of Annie Wilkes. She will also be seen in the upcoming HBO series Mare of Easttown, which also stars Kate Winslet, Jean Smart, Guy Pearce, and Evan Peters. In 2019, she starred in the pilot for The Lost Boys, based on the 1987 vampire flick, for The CW, but the network didn’t order the show to series.
Cruz will play Kit, a princess whose brother has been abducted. She discovers she is destined to be a great leader and the queen of this kingdom. She replaces Cailee Spaeny, who was previously cast in the role.
Warwick Davis, who played the titular character in the original movie, will be back, but the series is not expected to focus on him. Based on casting descriptions, it seems the story will follow a group on a quest to rescue a kidnapped prince. During the journey, they will become the greatest champions of this realm.
Erin Bamber plays Dove, a lowly kitchen maid who discovers that she is “the chosen one.” Erin Kellyman plays Kit’s servant and moral compass, Jade, who discovers she is destined to become the kingdom’s greatest warrior. Tony Revolori from the Spider-Man movies is also part of the cast.
Willow will film in Wales, where the original movie was shot, later this year. The TV adaptation was created by Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and will act as co-showrunner with Wendy Mericle (Arrow). Ron Howard, who directed the film, is attached as executive producer. Previously, Howard helmed Solo: A Star Wars Story which Kasdan co-wrote with his father Jake. The writer of the original movie, Bob Dolman, is also attached as an executive producer.
Check back for updates on Willow as they become available.
Source: Deadline
