[4] Reporters noted that the cancellation occurred as media companies, including Disney+, were seeking to reduce costs for streaming content in order to increase profitability.
Six unlikely heroes set off on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world from the forces of evil: the Gales, who work for the Crone and are allies of the Wyrm.
[23] Additional voices provided by Flula Borg, David W. Collins, Terri Douglas, Robin Atkin Downes, Katrina Kemp, Arif S. Kinchen, Risa Mei, Mark Povinelli, Moira Quirk, Helen Sadler, Julian Stone, Fred Tatasciore, Sam Witwer, Matthew Wood, Danny Woodburn, and Shelby Young.
Discussions about a continuation of Willow began as early as 2005 when George Lucas commented at Celebration III about Lucasfilm going back to television,[25] with Warwick Davis reiterating his interest in a sequel film in returning in multiple interviews.
[36] In April 2022, Talisa García and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers were cast,[16][20] with Garcia starring as Revolori's character's mother, marking the first time a transgender actor has appeared in a Lucasfilm production.
[22] Val Kilmer was unable to participate in filming to reprise his role as Madmartigan due to his recovery from throat cancer and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but Davis and Kasdan stated in May 2022 that his character would still be involved "in a big way".
[43] In addition to Dragon Studios, filming took place at 32 locations across Wales including Pendine Sands, Morlais Quarry, Merthyr Mawr, Neath Abbey, Snowdonia, and Holyhead.
[46][47] On November 1 during the Lucca Comics & Games 2022, a part of the first episode and exclusive video clips of the series was shown in world premiere in the presence of actors Ellie Bamber, Erin Kellyman and Amar Chadha-Patel.
[48][49] JustWatch, a guide to streaming content with access to data from more than 20 million users around the world, estimated that Willow was the third most-streamed series in the U.S. during the week of December 5–11, 2022.
[51] Whip Media, which tracks viewership data for the more than 25 million worldwide users of its TV Time app, calculated that Willow was the sixth most-streamed original series in the U.S. from December 11 to 25, 2022.
The website's critics consensus reads, "Expanding on the saga while leaving plenty of room for callbacks to the original, this series-length sequel should satisfy fans who've been patiently waiting for more Willow.
They found the series, despite the absence of Val Kilmer's Madmartigan, to be a worthy successor to the original film, with a likeable and energetic cast that includes Ruby Cruz, Tony Revolori, and Amar Chadha-Patel.
They noted that while it may not match the depth of Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings, it effectively balances nostalgia with new, exciting elements, making it an immensely fun and unashamedly silly sword-and-sorcery show.
They found the show initially bogged down by its need to justify its existence and modernize a decades-old story, leading to a disjointed mix of self-aware comedy and serious fantasy elements.
They noted that while it revisits the world of the original film with a mix of new and returning characters, it struggles to balance its nostalgic elements with contemporary humor and modern references.