Disney+'s Willow sequel series has found another one of its leads.
According to Deadline, Ruby Cruz -- who played the teenaged Annie Wilkes on Castle Rock -- has joined Ellie Bamber (The Nutcracker and the Four Realms), Tony Revolori (Spider-Man: Far From Home) and Erin Kellyman (Solo: A Star Wars Story) in the Willow cast. She will replace Cailee Spaeny (The Craft: Legacy), who was previously cast as one of the show's co-leads. No reason was given for Spaeny's departure.
The Willow series is a followup to director Ron Howard's 1988 fantasy adventure film of the same name, which was based on a story written by George Lucas. Warwick Davis starred in the movie as Willow Ufgood, a farmer and aspiring magician who reluctantly undertakes a quest to protect a baby girl prophesied to bring about the downfall of an evil sorceress. The film's story was later continued in writer Chris Claremont's Chronicles of the Shadow War novel trilogy, drawing from an outline by Lucas. However, those books are not expected to be treated as canon in the Disney+ sequel show.
Davis will reprise his role as Willow for the Disney+ series, which reportedly follows a group of heroes on a mission to rescue a kidnapped prince. The ragtag team includes Dove (Bamber), a character described as an "unassuming kitchen maid who proves she is the 'chosen one'" in the show's circulated casting call. Dove is joined on her journey by the prince's sister Kit (Cruz) and Kit's servant Jade (Kellyman), who is described as "Kit's best friend and moral compass." Although casting details are under-wraps on Revolori's character, he is rumored to be playing Boorman, a deceitful thief who agrees to help the show's heroes in exchange for getting out of prison.
Solo co-writer Jonathan Kasdan is penning the Willow pilot and will serve as co-showrunner with Wendy Mericle (Arrow). Howard and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy will executive produce the series, with Willow movie writer Bob Dolman acting as a consulting producer. Production will take place in Wales, where Howard shot much of his original film. Jon M. Chu was set to helm the pilot but had to drop out due to family obligations and issues stemming from the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Disney+'s Willow stars Warwick Davis, Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, Tony Revolori and Ruby Cruz. The series has yet to receive a premiere date.
Source: Deadline