Willow, the iconic movie from 1988. What happened to the cast?

The famous fantasy movie 'Willow' is known to many children from the 80s and 90s. Its magical world was created by Ron Howard and George Lucas. While the characters made a comeback in 2023 with a 'Willow' series, nothing can beat the original.

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For those unfamiliar with it, here's the story. Willow is a dwarf with a quiet family life in his medieval-type village. He wants to become a magician. A special baby comes into his life and Willow becomes her guardian. He has to defend the precious creature from an evil queen and sorceress who wants to kill the little girl as she's been predicted to end her reign.

At the time, back in 1988, 'Willow' was not well received, neither by critics nor at the box office. However, with time, it became a cult title that conquered generations.

But what happened to the cast of that wonderful tale? The paths of each of the 'Willow' actors and actresses have been different. Some have had more success than others. Let's have a look!

Willow, played by Warwick Davis, is a little man who gets drawn to the lands of the Daikini (humans). He meets new friends but also has to deal with dangerous enemies.

The British actor was already a familiar face. In 1983 he played the role of the Ewok Wicket in 'Star Wars: Episode VI' and 'Ewoks: The Battle for Endor', and in 1986 he was a Goblin soldier in 'Labyrinth.' Yet, the role of Willow in 1988 was his big breakthrough worldwide.

After his work on 'Willow', Davis has had a very fruitful career in which he has participated in no less than 40 films and series. It is worth highlighting his roles as Professor Flitwick in the 'Harry Potter' saga; Nikabrik in 'The Chronicles of Narnia', 'Leprechaun' in the film saga of the same name, and Oberon in 'Ray' (2004).

Born in 1970, Davis is not ready to retire yet. In recent years he has been in several 'Star Wars' movies and he also appeared in 'Maleficent' (2014). His striking voice can be heard in several animated films. Finally, there was his big return as the famous Willow in the Disney series of the same name in 2022.

One of Willow's friends in the film is Madmartigan, a Daikini warrior condemned to die of hunger and thirst in a torture cage for looters and womanizers. He will convince the little farmer to get him out of there and take care of Elora Danan. From there, they become great friends and travel companions.

Like Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer was already known when he started working on 'Willow'. He rose to fame with great titles such as 'Top Secret!' (1984) and, without a doubt, 'Top Gun', where he played the role of Iceman alongside Tom Cruise. In 1988, the opportunity would come for him to try the genre of fantasy, turning into Madmartigan.

Throughout his career, Val Kilmer has made a good number of films, and was awarded Best Supporting Actor at the Satellite Awards in 2005 for his role in 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'. Other titles of his filmography are 'The Doors' (1991), 'Batman Forever' and 'Heat' (1995), 'The Saint' (1997), 'Red Planet' (2000), and 'Alexander' (2004).

In 2017 he revealed that he was suffering from throat cancer, an illness that has changed his life. He ended up recovering, but it left him with speech problems. In 2021, he had a testimonial role in 'Top Gun: Maverick.' He was also in 'The Birthday Cake' and 'Canyon del Muerto' in 2022. One of his upcoming projects is a film about a biker gang: 'Riptide'.

Evil at its finest. Bavmorda is a ruthless and evil sorceress-turned-queen of Tir Asleen who will go to any length and to anyone and anything to prevent her reign from being ended. And even more so if the prophecy says that little Elora Danan will be the one to finish her off.

When she starred in 'Willow', Jean Marsh already had an Emmy Award as a screenwriter for the series 'Upstairs and Downstairs.' She had also been the villain of the movie 'Return to Oz' (1985). From there, her career continued until 2014, including a 2010 'Upstairs and Downstairs' revival. However, in 2011, she suffered a heart attack that made performing a lot harder. The series 'Grantchester' (2014) was her last work.

In the film 'Willow,' she's a great warrior and military leader in the service of her adopted mother, Queen Bavmorda. However, since she has a good heart, Sorsha will end up going over to the good side and even fall in love with Madmartigan.

Joanne Whalley's acting career extends to the present day, including the 2022 'Willow' series. Since the original 1988 film, she has worked in both film and television, but none of the projects was very famous. Strikingly, the connection with Val Kilmer in 'Willow' was such that she ended up marrying him in 1988. They had a daughter together and divorced in 1996.

She's Willow's wife and the mother of their two children: Mims and Ranon. She lives a quiet family life in the village of the Nelwyns until Willow has to leave for his adventure.

Peters did not have a very fruitful career in acting beyond 'Willow'. She made her debut in Ron Howard's film with a rather testimonial role and, after that, she only participated in two more films: 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian', a 1989 version; and 'Road to Nowhere' (1993), where she played Sarah.

Chief of all the Aldwins - the sorcerers and informal leaders of the Nelwyn villages - he puts Willow to the test to see if he is capable of becoming his apprentice. A test that the little farmer will not pass, because he does not show enough confidence in himself to do so.

This actor had his golden age in the 80s, when, in addition to 'Willow,' he made 'Under the Rainbow' (1981), 'Night Patrol' (1984), 'Legend' (1985), 'Masters of the Universe' (1987), and 'UHF' (1989). In the 90s he also made some movies and participated in series such as 'Frasier', but in 2000 he died of heart failure.

Willow's best friend works as a miner in their village. He joins the party to take Elora Danan to the land of the daikini but ends up returning, much to his regret.

After passing through 'Willow', David J. Steinberg continued making movies and series. However, tragically, he took his own life in 2010 at only 45 years of age. His last film was 'Transylmania' (2009), where he played the role of Dean Floca.

Regarded as the best warrior of the Willow village, this little guy was one of the people accompanying Willow at the beginning of his journey with Elora Danan.

The Nelwyn warrior from 'Willow' came to this film with several well-known titles under his belt: think 'Under the Rainbow' (1981) and 'Star Wars: Episode VI' (1983), for example. After 'Willow,' he appeared in a large number of movies and series in the 90s and 2000s, such as 'Hercules', 'CSI', and 'Walker Texas Ranger'.

This character is a powerful sorceress who, due to a curse from Bavmorda, has ended up as an opossum. Throughout most of the film, she stays that way, although Willow makes an extra effort to transform her into a duck, a goat, and other animals... When he finally turns her into her human self, she's already aged. Yet, it will be this character fighting hard against the evil queen with her magic.

The veteran actress passed away ten years after her appearance in 'Willow', at the age of 88. He worked in many comedy shows and films between 1940 and 1996, with the most notable after Fin Raziel being Mrs. Eileen Coady in 'A Fish Called Wanda' (1988), as well as her work in 'Crime and Punishment' (2002) where he appeared posthumously.

Burglekutt was the stocky bald Nelwyn in charge of the Village Council and a constant bully to Willow.

Throughout his life, this actor made four other films in addition to 'Willow'. Among them is 'Hardware' (1990), where he played the other great role of his life, that of Alvy. Northover also made an appearance in Depeche Mode's 'Walking in My Shoes' video. He died of a heart attack at age 54 in 2004.

Rool, one of the creatures of Chelindrea, the lady of the forest, joins Willow's mission to bring Elora Danan to Tir Asleen.

This actor and comedian has participated in more than 80 films throughout his career, with roles in hit films like 'A Few Good Men' (1992), 'Grumpy Old Men' (1993); 'The Usual Suspects'  (1995); 'Casino' (1995); and 'End of days' (1999). Since 2017, the actor has also been part of two series: 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' and 'Better Things.'

The other forest creature who joins Willow's adventure is Franjean. He's an impeccable guy, always well dressed, and with designs he makes himself with anything he finds lying around.

Like his forest partner in 'Willow', this actor has made a lot of series and films. Among them were 'Beverly Hills Cop' (1984), 'Groundhog Day' (1993), and 'Mrs. Doubtfire' (1993). Oh, and 'The Office' fans may remember him for his appearance as William Beesly (2009).

The youngest son of Willow and Kaiya doesn't have a major presence in the film, beyond a few scenes at the beginning and end, but he does help Willow show off his magic tricks in the village.

And this is Mark today! 'Willow' was his first and only film job - an adventure when he was 8 years old - and after that, he would embark on a completely different life path. Vandebrake has degrees in the humanities and psychology and currently lives in Texas. According to his Instagram bio, (@atheistlowdown), he is the host of the weekly YouTube show 'Atheist Lowdown', the producer of 'Atheist Experience' and the author of the book 'Free Thought Resource Guide'.

Willow and Kaiya's daughter was Mims. Played by Dawn Downing, she had a similar presence to her brother in the film, initially appearing to enjoy her father's magic tricks and crying when Bavmorda's trackers attack their village.

As happened to her fictional brother, for Dawn Downing, 'Willow' was her only experience in the world of cinema. Since then, she's grown up and is living a relatively normal and anonymous life.

Elora Danan is that little girl whose fate is that she will end the reign of the evil queen Bavmorda. The poor thing is abandoned to save her, and she's up for a bumpy trip with Willow.

According to the credits, the twins Kate and Ruth Greenfield played Elora Danan. For them, it was their only film appearance.

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