Forget all you know, or think you know.... the epic fantasy adventure of a lifetime is here. And its name is Willow!
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| Ron Howard and George Lucas discuss a scene with two of the cast members of Willow: Warwick Davis (Willow) & Dawn Downing (who plays Willow's daughter, Mims). |
This May, moviegoers will experience the world of Willow Ufgood - a world filled with magic, wonder and excitement. A world brought to us by the creative minds of George Lucas and Ron Howard.
Over two years in the making, and involving thousands of people, the last preparations are now being made and the anticipation is building!
Industrial Light & Magic is a hotbed of activity. Dennis Muren, Mike McAllister and Phil Tippet are working with their crews day and night to complete the hundreds of effects shots that will be seen in Willow. Their mission, once again, is to create spectacles never seen before.
At Lucasfilm's Sprocket Systems, Star Wars veteran Ben Burtt is creating a whole new library of sounds for the new world and is now completing the final mix. It promises to be yet another major accomplishment in Burtt's career.
Lucasfilm's publicity and marketing teams are working hand-in-hand with MGM to arrange for the release of Willow. The activity is frenetic. There is movie poster art, television ads and theatrical trailers to approve. Theatres are being booked and publicity is being arranged.
The licensing division is busy working with promotional partners and licensees, who will help create exposure for Willow. The fantastic soundtrack by James Horner is being readied for release by Virgin Movie Music as well.
Lucasfilm's theatre operations people are beginning the field work to make certain that the theatres that show Willow will be in the best working condition. Their job is to make sure the audience experiences Willow in the theatre the way George Lucas intended them to.
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| Discussing the complicated special effects for Willow at ILM. From left to right: George Lucas, Ron Howard & ILM special effects experts Phil Tippet & Dennis Muren. |
Of course, George Lucas and Ron Howard drop in on all of the production departments day after day to give their input as they painstakingly work to complete the film.
It's a familiar hubbub of activity at Lucasfilm as a vast array of talent work together diligently to bring forth a great idea from the imagination of George Lucas - an epic tale set in another time & place with a cast of colorful characters. It promises to be a tale that will excite & entertain and inspire us at the same time.
I think I can speak for every fan of Lucasfilm in saying how eagerly we are all awaiting the premiere of Willow!
Dan Madsen - President & Publisher