Willow may sound like an odd choice for a Disney+ show given its mixed initial reception and age. It’ll be 33 years old by the time production starts. Like some movies, though, its reputation built up among people who grew up watching it. Howard also characterized the streaming sequel as a “creative lean-forward” — it’s an expansion of a universe that didn’t get much of a chance the first time around.
It’s also an opportunity for Disney+ to diversify its lineup. Much of its initial push has focused on Disney’s best-known brands, like Marvel and Star Wars. This is relatively uncharted territory, and gives it a fantasy show to counter rivals like Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series. Simply put, Disney has decided it can’t lean solely on a few very familiar names to keep subscribers coming back.