EXCLUSIVE: There will be no second season of Willow, the Disney+ live-action original series based on the 1988 fantasy film directed by Ron Howard. The news comes two months after the first season of the eight-episode show, which served as a sequel to the classic film, ended its run on the streaming platform.
Revisited years after the events of the film, Willow lacked the contemporary cultural impact of the original but was well-received by critics, earning an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although the series will not continue, Willow remains an important IP in the Lucasfilm library, so it may be revisited in the future.
The news comes as Lucasfilm is re-evaluating its film slate and taking its time to identify the next film in the Star Wars franchise. Since then, the company has built a sizeable TV footprint on Disney+ with series like the live-action hit The Mandalorian and the upcoming Ahsoka, Acolyte and Skeleton Crew, as well as animated feature films.
The cancellation also comes amid heightened scrutiny from media companies, including Disney, which have slashed spending on streaming content in a quest for profitability.
Introducing new characters, Willow is set in a world where brownies, wizards, trolls, and other mystical creatures thrive. An unlikely group of heroes embark on a perilous quest to places far beyond their homeland, where they must confront their inner demons and come together to save their world.
Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Amer Chadha-Patel and Tony Revolori starred alongside Warwick Davis, who reprized his title role as Willow Ufgood.
Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot and served as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; Howard and writer Bob Dolman. Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan also served as executive producers.