Disney+ Cancels "Willow"

[JamesG]

"Willow" Canceled after One Season at Disney+
by Nellie Andreeva
March 15, 2023


There will be no second season of "Willow", Disney+’s live-action original series based on the 1988 fantasy film directed by Ron Howard. The news comes two months after the eight-episode first season of the show, which served as a sequel to the classic movie, ended its run on the streaming platform.

"Willow", which picked up years after the events of the film, did not have the zeitgeist cultural impact of the original but was well received by critics, getting a 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the series won’t continue, "Willow" remains an important IP in the Lucasfilm library, so it might be revisited in the future.

https://deadline.com/2023/03/willow-...-2-1235300401/

[JamesG]

"Willow" Creator Jon Kasdan Remains Optimistic for Season 2 — But Not for at Least a Year
by Denise Petski
March 17, 2023


"Willow" creator Jon Kasdan remains hopeful that we will see a second season of the fantasy series, following news that it is ending, at least for now. Kasdan took to social media Thursday to reassure fans that a Season 2 has been written and he has every hope that it will eventually air, but not for at least the next 12 months.

“A decision was made last week to release our main cast for other series opportunities that may arise for them in the coming year,” he wrote, taking issue with Deadline’s and other online reports of the series ending.

He added that he feels “fairly confident that, if asked, neither I, nor the folks at Lucasfilm, would or have actually characterized it” as a final cancellation.

https://deadline.com/2023/03/willow-...-2-1235303155/

[TMC]

6 Reasons Disney Was Right To Delay Willow Season 2, Not Cancel It

The confirmation that the Disney+ Willow series is being delayed rather than canceled comes as a relief for fans of the fun, fantasy spinoff.

[Hawkee]

I think what Disney+ is trying to do with new shows is they try out a formula that will attract an audience to watch them and while it may work with some shows the idea doesn't always work well. As we saw with Marvel shows like Hawkeye "which Season 2 will be delayed for now due to Jeremy Renner's retirement from acting due to his accident" Moon Knight "which i'm hopeful will see Season 2 because it's a hit" Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Wandavision and the Star Wars series of shows like The Mandalorian Disney+ thinks that these shows bring big money and ratings and when you have the correct audience that's what brings in big money to Disney+. With Willow The Series I think Disney+ wanted to introduce new fans to Willow but what I think they could've done first was create Willow II as an exclusive movie. I started watching the series last week and it was impressive from what i've seen so far. But I think what might've played a factor in Willow's cancellation is that Disney+ didn't promote the show enough and they had hopes that the show would be successful. I can predict the next show to be cancelled will be National Treasure Book Of Secrets because that show also had poor ratings like Willow did. But I think Disney will continue to expand Willow more by having merchandise such as book series and video games and apps based on it. Because Willow the movie is such a classic fantasy treat Willow should be promoted more like Lucasfilm has done with Star Wars and Indiana Jones. This series showed a lot of promise and should not be forgotten in the Lucasfilm series of shows and movies. I cannot wait to see what happens in Episode 2 of Willow The Series and i'm sure it will be great
Bestie

[TMC]

Why 'Willow' Deserves a Season 2

To cancel a show too early is one thing, but to remove it from a streaming service entirely is just downright cruel.

[TMC]

One Season Wonders: 'Willow' Did Everything Right and Got Cancelled Anyway