Fan are lashing out at Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming services/networks online over the rumored cancellation of Willow.Following since-disputed reports that Willow would not be returning a second season, fans took to Twitter to voice their outrage. Many pointed out that Willow was ostensibly the latest in a long line of LGBTQ+ positive shows that have been canceled recently, including Netflix's First Kill and Warrior Nun, as well as Prime Video's A League of Their Own. Others pointed out that many of these same shows were among the few in production to prominently feature lesbian characters and relationships.
While it was initially reported that Willow was the first Lucasfilm project to end prematurely under Disney+, showrunner Jonathan Kasdan offered fans a more hopeful explanation of the scenario at hand. Kasdan stated that neither he nor anyone at Lucasfilm "would or have actually characterized it quite that way" in response to the news that the series was canceled. Kasdan also added that scripts for a second season exist with intent to be filmed, and that the series' core cast were released from their contracts due to the fact that another season of Willow would not be filmed for at least another 12 months. This allows for actors such as Annabelle Davis to continue working elsewhere until Willow Season 2 is ready to begin filming.
Willow Re-Imagines the '80s Film
A followup to the iconic 1988 film of the same name, Willow follows the titular dwarf sorcerer as he and a group of unlikely adventurers set out on a quest to save their world from a new threat. Regarding the inspiration for his return to the role of Willow Ufgood, original actor and Hollywood icon Warwick Davis said, "The one thing I took note of in particular was Mark Hamill returning to Luke Skywalker and how he went about the approach for that. I thought he was really interesting, and it wasn't the expected approach, certainly." David continued, "He came at it from quite a different angle, and I also did the same. I noticed that Mark didn't try to play the character younger. He just leaned into his more mature years, and that’s really what I did as Willow."
The first season of Willow is now streaming on Disney+.
Source: Twitter