Willow (1988 film)

Willow
Willow
	Theatrical release poster by John Alvin
Directed by	Ron Howard
Screenplay by	Bob Dolman
Story by	George Lucas
Produced by	Nigel Wooll
Starring	Val Kilmer; Joanne Whalley; Warwick Davis; Billy Barty; Jean Marsh;
Cinematography	Adrian Biddle
Edited by	Daniel P. Hanley; Mike Hill; Richard Hiscott;
Music by	James Horner
Production; companies	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Lucasfilm Ltd.; Imagine Entertainment;
Distributed by	MGM/UA Distribution Co.
Release date	May 20, 1988 (United States);
Running time	126 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$35 million
Box office	$137.6 million

Willow is a 1988 American epic dark fantasy adventure film directed by Ron Howard and produced by Nigel Wooll. The film was executive produced by George Lucas and written by Bob Dolman from a story by Lucas. The film stars Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, and Jean Marsh. Davis portrays the title character, an aspiring magician who teams up with a disaffected warrior (Kilmer) to protect a young baby princess from an evil queen (Marsh).

Lucas conceived the idea for the film in 1972, approaching Howard to direct during the post-production phase of Cocoon in 1985. Bob Dolman was brought in to write the screenplay, coming up with seven drafts that Lucas was actively involved in the developmental process of each draft.^[4] It was finished in late 1986. It was then set up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and principal photography began in April 1987, finishing the following October. The majority of filming took place in Dinorwic quarry in Wales with some at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, as well as a small section in New Zealand. Industrial Light & Magic created the visual effects sequences, which led to a revolutionary breakthrough with digital morphing technology.

The film was released in 1988 to mixed reviews from critics with praise for the visual effects and character designs but criticisms for its direction and plot. It grossed $137.6 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. While not the blockbuster some expected, it turned a profit based on international box office returns and strong home video and television returns. It received two Academy Award nominations. A television series that served as a sequel to the film was released on Disney+ in 2022.

^ "WILLOW (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. November 17, 1988. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
^ "Willow (1988)". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
^ Gray, Beverly. Ron Howard: from Mayberry to the moon-and beyond, page 134. Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, Tennessee (2003). ISBN 1-55853-970-0.
^ Gajewski, Ryan (November 30, 2022). "'Willow' Film Writer Says TV Reboot's Process Had "More of a Corporate Feeling" Than Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

[1] "WILLOW (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. November 17, 1988. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.

[2] "Willow (1988)". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.

[opie-3] Gray, Beverly. Ron Howard: from Mayberry to the moon-and beyond, page 134. Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, Tennessee (2003). ISBN 1-55853-970-0.

[4] Gajewski, Ryan (November 30, 2022). "'Willow' Film Writer Says TV Reboot's Process Had "More of a Corporate Feeling" Than Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

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