Willow Star Slams Disney's Shocking Sequel Show Removal from Disney+
Willow Star criticizes Disney for the embarrassing removal of the sequel show from Disney+ Fans of Willow deserve a means to enjoy the show, emphasizing the ongoing necessity for physical media
Summary
Warwick Davis, star of Willow, has criticized Disney for removing the show from Disney+, leaving fans unable to watch it and asking what he should tell them.
The removal of Willow emphasizes the importance of physical media in the entertainment sector, as streaming services focus on reducing costs and eliminating shows from their collections.
Although the possibility of a Willow season 2 remains uncertain, a release on physical media would enable fans to continue enjoying cherished shows like Willow, even if they are no longer available for online streaming.
Warwick Davis, known for his role in the original Willow film and its upcoming 2022 sequel series, has criticized Disney for its "embarrassing" choice to remove the show from Disney+. The sequel series, set over 20 years after the events of the 1988 movie, premiered in November 2022 and received positive reviews and a strong viewership. However, after just six months on the streaming platform, the show was removed in May 2023 as part of a controversial content purge linked to corporate cost-cutting measures. Despite the passage of five months since the removal, Davis recently expressed his ongoing frustration on Twitter, referring to Disney's decision as an embarrassment. You can see his post below.
Why Willow’s Disney+ Removal Highlights The Continued Need For Physical Media
With fans of Willow, for whom the sequel show was initially created, the seasoned actor expressed that he encounters them on a daily basis. He wondered what advice he should provide to those fans who inquire about the reason behind their inability to access the series anymore.
Although the Disney+ Willow show didn't generate the same level of cultural impact as the original and iconic 1998 movie, it was still well-received, and there were hopes for a potential Willow season 2 at one point. Initially, there were reports in March 2023 that the series had been cancelled, but showrunner Jonathan Kasdan later refuted these claims, suggesting that the show was on hiatus instead. However, regardless of Kasdan's statements, the show was abruptly removed from streaming two months later, along with more than 40 other titles that were purged from both Disney+ and Hulu.
Yet, with Willow now securely locked away in the notorious Disney vault, there is currently no other online avenue for fans of the franchise to stream the episodes, despite the premiere being less than a year ago. Since Disney shows no signs of reversing their decision or granting a license to another network or streaming platform, it appears that Willow is now virtually inaccessible to viewers longing to reenter the enchanting world of Davis' cherished Nelwyn sorcerer.
These actions by streaming services emphasize the significance of physical media in the entertainment industry. As streaming services recognize the impracticality and unsustainability of maintaining eternal content libraries, physical releases such as DVDs and Blu-rays continue to play a crucial role in distribution. Despite Disney's recent decision to cease physical media releases in certain countries like Australia, physical media remains essential. Although the availability of Willow season 2 remains uncertain, a physical media release would guarantee that audiences can still enjoy beloved shows like it, even if they are no longer available online.
