WILLOW Sequel Series Will Not Be Back For A Second Season On Disney+

WILLOW Sequel Series Will Not Be Back For A Second Season On Disney+ WILLOW Sequel Series Will Not Be Back For A Second Season On Disney+

The adventures of Willow Ufgood and his friends have come to a premature end of Disney+, as the fantasy adventure series has been cancelled after just a single season...

News
By MarkCassidy - Mar 16, 2023 09:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Fantasy
Source: Via SFF Gazette

Disappointing news for Willow fans, as the recent Disney+ sequel series has been cancelled after just one season.

The show picked up years after the events of Ron Howard's '80s fantasy adventure, with Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) setting out on a new quest with several loyal companions. The cast also included Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, Tony Revolori, Amar Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, and Joanne Whalley.

No specific reason was given for the cancellation, but the series cost quite a lot to produce, so we're assuming the viewing figures simply didn't hold up.

Disney+ doesn’t share viewing data for its programming, but Willow didn’t break into the Nielsen top 10 rankings of streaming titles during its run. Though it did receive mostly positive reviews (it sits at 83% on Rotten Tomatoes), fans seemed less taken with the show (66% audience score).

Could the series be picked up on another Network? It seems unlikely, but producer Rupesh Parekh hasn't given up hope.

"In a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, the adventure continues, as an unlikely group of 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," reads the official logline.

What do you make of this news? Were you a fan of the show, or are you not surprised that it's been prematurely axed? Drop us a comment down below.

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mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 9:26 AM
Good. This series, at least the few episodes I watched, was complete trash. Why is it that these studios are unable to make good fantasy adaptations? Besides House of the Dragon, everything else that has come out lately has been terrible.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/16/2023, 9:46 AM
@mountainman - regardless of Quality, it was interesting to see major studios/streaming services try fantasy tv.

Between HBO's HOTD, Disney's Willow, Amazon's Wheel of Time and Rings of Power and Netflix' Witcher, House of the Dragon is definitely the winner.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 10:23 AM
@bkmeijer1 - I’m glad that they are trying. The fantasy genre has such a large variety of source material to pull from.

I hope Wheel of Time gets better. The books are so great. It’s possible the first season was dragged down by continued COVID interruptions. And hopefully the show runner has listened to fans about the issues with season 1.

With Rings of Power, I just hope those in charge have listened to what many long time Tolkien fans took issues with season 1. I’m not so sure that one can right the ship in the eyes of those that don’t like it.

I think the Witcher is done. I liked Cavill in the role, but the show was ok at best. At least they got me to finally pick up the book series.

Willow was a long shot the whole time. Many people are nostalgic for the original, but it’s really not a great movie. And the book series is not very highly regarded. I’m more interested to see what Disney does with the upcoming Percy Jackson show.

I hear Shadow and Bone was good. I haven’t seen the show or read the books so I have no reference.

I’m really hoping in the coming years, we see adaptations of The Dresden Files, The First Law, a better Dark Tower adaptation (which I think is in the works), and Mistborn (which i think is also in early development).

Fantasy as a genre has really diversified over the last 30 years. It’s not all swords, horses, and castles these days.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/16/2023, 10:36 AM
@mountainman - gotta agree on all of that. I'm not that interested in Percy Jackson though, as I like high fantasy more.

And that genre has indeed a lot of stuff to pull from. Since I'm a fan of Black Cauldron, I hope someone adapts The Chronicles of Prydain.

But also, a classic adventure with swords, horses and castles is fun too.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 10:48 AM
@bkmeijer1 - Oh I enjoy swords and horses fantasy, I just also like urban fantasy (like Dresden Files) and the more modern sci-fi/fantasy hybrids (like Stormlight Archive). I’m happy that Game of Thrones showed studios that this genre can be profitable. Even though a lot of these projects from the last few years haven’t been up to snuff, I think they can be with the right crew behind them.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/16/2023, 11:27 AM
@mountainman - I like sci-fi/fantasy hybrids (sci-fantasy or space fantasy I suppose) too. Haven't heard about Dresds Files or Stormlight Archive though, so I might check that out. As far as low fantasy goes, urban fantasy can be fun too.
Goldboink
Goldboink - 3/16/2023, 12:00 PM
@mountainman -
Bad idea to begin with.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 12:01 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Yeah Dresden Files is urban fantasy. Essentially a wizard detective set in modern-day Chicago that has to face off against all sorts of paranormal threats. It’s light and pulpy and reminds me of shows like Buffy and Supernatural. Super easy read and the world gets bigger as the series goes on.

Stormlight Archive is epic fantasy. Similar in many ways to your traditional swords and horses fantasy, but the world is so much different (not a play on medieval Europe at all). Amazing huge epic fantasy world with cool lore. The bonus is, if you like the author, he has multiple series that are mildly connected. Won’t post details due to spoilers, but it’s the best connected universe I’ve seen outside of Marvel and DC. Highly recommended as are the author Brandon Sanderson’s other series (especially Mistborn).
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/16/2023, 12:15 PM
@mountainman - Dresden Files sounds like the kind of low fantasy I like. Stuff like Percy Jackson (or Narnia) on the other hand, just not my thing.

But yeah, I read about Sanderson's Cosmere just now. That's pretty dope. And also read he has hard laws incorporated into his books. I can always appreciate it when stories don't break the rules of its worlds.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 12:20 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Dresden is a super fun read. It’s a long series (17 books and counting), but it reads quickly and the series gets better as you go on.

And yeah I’m a huge fan of the Cosmere. There are a few of the books that are just ok (like his early work Elantris), but a vast majority of it is top notch. As a bonus, he writes quickly and is super engaged with his fan base. He’s also at the point where he is expanding beyond books. I expect screen adaptations to begin in the next few years, he just did a kickstarter to release miniatures that will eventually be incorporated into a table top game, and other mediums are coming too. A bonus is that he seems like the nicest and most accessible guy ever. I’d recommend starting with the Mistborn trilogy, as it’s a lighter read and gets you used to his style, but Stormlight Archive is really amazing. Once he finishes it, I truly think it can be one of the all-time fantasy greats.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 12:24 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Oh and, each of his series has a different magic system. Each is based on real-world science. They are different in each series, but you can see how they’d be connected to each other in the same universe. They also more closely resemble super powers vs the average magic system. One is metal based, one is color based, one is based on visual symbols, another incorporates frequencies and pairing with nature to produce effects. His newest book (that I haven’t read yet) apparently pulls from a real phenomenon of liquified sand to allow for a sea-fearing tale to happen in dessert “oceans”. Sounds really interesting.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/16/2023, 12:42 PM
@mountainman - fantasy table top games? Now I am definitely in.

And basing stuff on real-world science is always good. Having studied science, I always pick on things when they don't add up with real-world science I know (that's why I'm such a fan of the time-travel rules in Endgame and the general world of The Expanse).

It's already cool he's accessible, but I like him even more already because he draws from real-world stuff. Makes it even more accessible for me.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 12:52 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Check out Mistborn. It’s a pretty easy read, the world is more familiar to traditional fantasy worlds, and the magic system is one where each metal gives different people unique “powers”. It’s a wonderful introduction to his work and the original trilogy can be read pretty easily. That will tell you if you like his stuff or not and if you want to dive into the full Cosmere like many of us have.

I may be fanboying here, but I predict that, within 10 years, the Cosmere will start to become a well known thing.

The thing I think separates Sanderson from most other fantasy authors is he is a great businessman. He seems to be intentional in how his works are expanded and especially how they are going to be adapted. He is talking with Hollywood now, but I predict he will retain some sort of creative decision making when they do get adapted to movies or shows.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/16/2023, 3:33 PM
@mountainman - I'll give that one a try soon then.

From what I gather now already though, it does feel like a franchise with pop culture status potential. Has a lot of unique selling points.

And if he's indeed a good businessman, I hope Sanderson can get it there. Because it certainly has a nice appeal.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 5:26 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Nice. If you do get a chance to check it out, I hope you enjoy.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/16/2023, 7:02 PM
@mountainman - I'll let you know once I have (and if I can remember lol)
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 7:57 PM
@bkmeijer1 - It seems like they post articles about fantasy shows on here every so often. I’m sure we will get a chance to follow up.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/17/2023, 4:58 AM
@mountainman - maybe even on an article about a Cosmere adaptation
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 3/16/2023, 9:26 AM
You could say that Willow's tv show was short-lived.
Floke
Floke - 3/16/2023, 11:56 AM
@Feralwookiee - Oh that was low.




*giggles*
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 12:02 PM
@Feralwookiee - It seems that there was little interest in this show.
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 3/16/2023, 12:09 PM
@Floke - Yeah.
That was kind of small of me.
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 3/16/2023, 12:11 PM
@mountainman - Yes.
Its' ratings were tiny.
Floke
Floke - 3/16/2023, 12:13 PM
@Feralwookiee - Yes, you need to be the bigger man in this matter.

It isn't a tall order.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/16/2023, 12:29 PM
@Feralwookiee - While the Willow IP has a minuscule fanbase, I’m sure Disney was hoping for much more substantial ratings from this.
ScRipt69
ScRipt69 - 3/16/2023, 9:28 AM
Watched one episode, so didnt give it a fair crack of the whip but it was poor in my opinion. Hate to use the word 'woke' but there is no other word to describe it.

It was very woke. In your face so. More about peoples genders and recognition of their differences rather than a tv show about a small wizard.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/16/2023, 9:39 AM
@ScRipt69 - It is the subject that has been in the zeitgeist for a while, like you said, recognition and acceptance.
We can't avoid for it to be talked about in the arts.
But writers and executives are misguided in their approach of making it a completely one-sided issue, selling us on the idea that everything will be awesome as long as we give "woke" movements what they ask fork, and making everybody else the bad guys.

Life, people and society are much more complex than that, and it all feels like they are trying to hammer down something that has already been done better previously, by more forward thinking talents. Not much risks is being taken there.
ElvenKingSlayer
ElvenKingSlayer - 3/17/2023, 3:51 AM
@Usernametaken - Totally agree. So it's a good sign this show isn't getting a second season.
TyrantBossMedia
TyrantBossMedia - 3/16/2023, 9:33 AM
Disney is really batting zero as of late.

They need to make big chnages.
1) Recruit and hire much better writers to create better shows with great stories.
2) Focus on successful IPs in addition to solid original programming
3) Use the massive Fox library and increase the content on Disney+. Just put it under the “+” section. And make it lockable to keep our kids too young for the content.
4) Make your kids stuff for kids and create programs that parents can trust their kids to watch without requiring prescreening.
5) Stop with the B-S forced political agenda and just tell stories. There can always be messages but solid writing can make them more subtle and less overt.

Those are just off of the top of my head but they seem quite logical.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/16/2023, 9:45 AM
@TyrantBossMedia - 1) those talents are going somewhere else where they have creative freedom to tell better stories
2)They are already focused too much on successful IPs, they should focus on creating new ones
3)already the case in the rest of the world. And it's why D+ is still relevant there.
4)Isn't it already the case? What content that is made by Disney needs to be prescreened these days exactly?
5)Agreed, but for that to happen, they need to give creative freedom and stop relying so much on existing IPs, otherwise all we'll get is bland and mediocre projects made by yes-men(persons?) who just want a chunk of that Disney money.
TyrantBossMedia
TyrantBossMedia - 3/16/2023, 11:05 AM
@Usernametaken -
1) Correct. Disney/Lucasfilm/Marvel hamper all of the truly creative writers and creators and they keep the "yes men" who are willing to tow the company line.
2) Correct. That's why I said...in addition to creating new ones.
3) They have Star in the rest of the world, but in the U.S. they don't. That's a waste of assets.
4) They are inserting a lot of politics and political narrative into their programming that spreads messages to kids that aren't necessarily healthy and can be contrary to parental teachings. Life lessons, sharing, cooperation, teamwork, learning, are good lessons and universal. They need to stick with those.
5) That but those "yes men" are being allowed to inject their political narrative into shows because that's what Disney wants. If you had a writer/director actually push back and say "no we don't want to add politics" Disney will simply replace them.

They need a change in all of the upper management and a company leadership. To cure the disease you go the biggest part fo the infection, or patient zero.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/16/2023, 11:27 AM
@TyrantBossMedia - I agree, I didn't know you meant prescreening for politics.
It's a tricky subject of course.

Bob Iger is back, so we might see a lot of changes. Looks like it already started with the canceling of 2 Star Wars movies.

I certainly do hope they go back to telling better stories, I do understand that there was a need to shake things up so that everybody, regardless of their skin color, sexual orientation or identity, should have a chance to work and tell stories in the industry.

But at the end of the day, none of those should make you earn a place automatically, just because who you are is a trendy subject that corporations, investors and CEOs are happy to use as a smokescreen to make the public believe they are virtuous.

You become a pawn in a big PR and marketing scheme, and the ones who lacks talents will all be sacrificed as soon as the new trend starts. It's going to be a hard fall for a lot of hacks.

But I'm glad that the industry is now open for any kind of great talents to shine, that needs to be protected and carried on.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/16/2023, 9:35 AM
I stopped watching after 3 eps. Dreck.
nhoj3
nhoj3 - 3/16/2023, 11:39 AM
@RorMachine - I toughed it out until the opening minutes of episode 5, then had to shut it off.

Sure, there have been other series where I just never bothered to finish the run, but I don't think that I've ever shut an episode off in the middle of it because it was so bad.
Floke
Floke - 3/16/2023, 12:04 PM
@RorMachine - I feel for you. That means you too had to suffer through this crime against humanity.
FusionWarrior
FusionWarrior - 3/16/2023, 9:42 AM
I'm not that surprised, it is a sequel to a cult movie that just couldn't compete with the likes of Star Wars or Indy! Plus I'm sure its clunky dialogue or the queer romance subplot rubbed fans the wrong way!
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 3/16/2023, 9:42 AM
I think they underestimated the reach of the original, I know it’s beloved but it’s not as popular as they thought
PatchesOhulihan
PatchesOhulihan - 3/16/2023, 9:46 AM
@Ha1frican - Overestimated?
bobevanz
bobevanz - 3/16/2023, 9:44 AM
Why can't we get Star Trek Picard articles when it's some of the best Sci fi since the Expanse. Last time I checked this has nothing to do with anything lol so the shoe fits on the other foot, it you let it
jj2112
jj2112 - 3/16/2023, 11:23 AM
@bobevanz - You're right. I hated the first 2 seasons but this one's great. However, I expected it would be good after what Matalas did in 12 Monkeys.
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