A long time ago in a mythical land, an epic adventure took place. An adventure that George Lucas is bringing to the screen Spring 1988. Willow will be premiering across movie screens everywhere next year, however, The Lucasfilm Fan Club has a sneak preview for you now of Lucasfilm's latest big screen adventure.

Willow, based on an original story by George Lucas, follows the exploits of a very unlikely but lovable hero - Willow Ufgood. Willow is a Nelwyn - a race of little people who are mostly farmers and miners. They are part of a very peaceful and primitive community that make their home in the neutral land. It's a community that is filled with love and wonderful family values. But it exists in a world torn apart by war, like the Daikinis - big people - that are engaged in a fierce conflict between good and evil.

Willow's friend Meegosh (David Steinberg), left, and Willow (Warwick Davis), right, try to comfort an important Daikini child they have found.

Willow is a little hero with a gigantic mission - a mission that will tie him with several very unlikely allies. Together, they have to fight incredible adversaries - forces of evil that come in all shapes and sizes and one, in particular, that comes in the shape of a truly sinister, all-powerful sorceress, Queen Bavmorda.

Willow is an epic adventure that's filled with action and danger. But at its core, Willow is a movie with heart. It's about friendship, about caring and fighting for what's right against incredible odds.

Principal photography began on Willow on April 27, 1987 at Elstree Studios in England - the famous soundstages used to film the Star Wars trilogy and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Under the able leadership of director Ron Howard (Splash, Cocoon), the production has been shooting at Elstree in London and in the countryside of Wales and New Zealand. A production of truly epic proportions, many of Willow's scenes required an enormous amount of extras. Some days saw over 500 extras, 225 horses, as well as one day in particular, that required over 225 little people. Many of Willow's elaborate sets have been constructed on the backlot at Elstree including parts of the massive dark and forbidding castle of the evil Queen Bavmorda.

"Willow is an adventure story filled with excitement, wonder and danger," says director Ron Howard, "but it is also about very unlikely heroes and their efforts - both successful and unsuccessful - learning to trust themselves, follow their heart and do what they believe is right."

In addition to the talents of director Ron Howard, Willow has brought together an impressive group of movie craftsmen. In addition to writing the original story, George Lucas is serving as executive producer on the production. ILM will be handling the complicated special effects for the project.

The evil Queen Bavmorda, portrayed by Jean Marsh, who wants the child Willow has found killed.

Producing Willow is Nigel Wooll who has worked on such films as Yanks, Reds and Ishtar. Also working on Willow is a man most Star Wars fans will recognize - Joe Johnston. Johnston, who's also working as associate producer, served on Star Wars in design, model-making and as a storyboard artist. He subsequently went to work for ILM continuing work on the Star Wars trilogy and other special effects projects.

Designing the look of Willow is production designer Allan Cameron. Cameron has worked on such projects as The French Lieutenant's Woman, 1984, Aliens & The Fourth Protocol. Also helping behind the camera is Director of Photography Adrian Biddle. Biddle's credits include Aliens & The Princess Bride. Last but certainly not least, the special prosthetic make-up is being designed by Nick Dudman. Dudman entered the film industry as Stuart Freeborn's trainee on The Empire Strikes Back where he worked mainly on Yoda. He has subsequently worked on such projects as Superman II, Top Secret, Return of the Jedi & Legend.

To bring Willow to life in front of the camera, a talented group of actors and actresses have been brought together. Portraying the role of Madmartigan, the handsome but undisciplined Daikini warrior who helps Willow in his search for the kingdom of Tir Asleen, is actor Val Kilmer. With credits such as Top Secret, Real Genius & Top Gun, in which he played Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, Kilmer is an actor much in demand.

3'4" tall Warwick Davis plays the title role of Willow Ufgood, the Nelwyn chosen to escort a special Daikini baby to the kingdom of Tir Asleen. Davis, who is 17 years old, made his motion picture debut at the age of 11 when he played the role of Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi. He subsequently appeared as the character in the TV movies Caravan of Courage & The Battle for Endor. Warwick also appeared in the George Lucas/Jim Henson film Labyrinth.

Joanne Whalley plays the role of Sorsha, daughter of the evil Queen Bavmorda, who ultimately comes to realize that there is an alternative path to tread. Whalley, who was born in England, has had an impressive career in that country appearing in numerous stage and television productions. American audiences saw her in the George C. Scott film A Christmas Carol.

The dashing, adventurous hero Madmartigan, portrayed by Val Kilmer, who accompanies Willow on his important mission.

Jean Marsh, who rocketed to international fame as the prim housemaid Rose Buck in the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs, portrays the evil Queen Bavmorda whose powers are threatened by a young Daikini child. Marsh has had a very impressive and respectable career. She has appeared in numerous films including Cleopatra, Frenzy, The Eagle Has Landed & Return to Oz. She has also appeared on the stage regularly and, in fact, came straight from playing Hamlet's mother at the Edinburgh Festival in England to her role in Willow.

Gavan O'Herlihy portrays the role of Airk, leader of the Daikini army which strives to overcome Queen Bavmorda's Nockmaar troops. O'Herlihy has appeared in such television shows as Happy Days - where he portrayed Ron Howard's older brother Chuck, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Matt Houston and many others. His films include A Wedding, Superman III, Never Say Never Again & Return of the Dirty Dozen. Gavan has been very busy starring in numerous English television productions as well.

Billy Barty, at 3'9" tall and 62 years of age, possibly the most experienced actor in the film, plays the role of the High Aldwin, the Nelwyn's magician. Barty has been in show business since 1928. His credits include Gold Diggers of 1933, Honeymoon Hotel, Day of the Locusts, Foul Play, Under the Rainbow, Legend & Masters of the Universe. Barty also founded an organization 30 years ago called The Little People of America which has a current membership of over 5,000 and helps in the medical, social and vocational problems of people of short stature.

Willow is being released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer whose Chief Executive Officer is Alan Ladd, Jr. Willow reunites Ladd and George Lucas, whose collaborative effort began at Twentieth Century Fox with the first Star Wars.