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Updated with all winners: HBO/Max’s Sesame Street, Disney+’s The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Jack Black and Tony Hale were among the winners Sunday at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

The ceremony capped a full weekend for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which hosted the Children’s & Family Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday.

See the full list of winners both nights below.

Sesame Street won for Outstanding Preschool Series as well as for puppetry and direction, giving it five awards across the weekend, tying it with Saturday’s big winner, Netflix’s Lost Ollie. Guardians and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur from Disney Channel also scored best-in-field wins tonight to bring their tallies to four apiece.

Among the winners tonight in the voice categories, Black wo for reprising Po in Netflix’s Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight,...

HBO/Max’s Sesame Street, Disney+’s The Muppets Mayhem and Jack Black were among the winners at the second annual Children’ &’s and Family Emmy Awards, which were handed out Sunday night by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Among its wins, Sesame Street (in its 56th season) was named best preschool series, while The Muppets Mayhem — which was canceled last month after airing only one season — was named best children’s or family viewing series.

Black, meanwhile, won his first-ever Emmy for best voice performance in a children’s or young teen program for his work as Po on Netflix’s Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.

An excited Black took the stage to accept his award, giving a high kick and belting out “Kung Fu Panda, the dragon knight!”

“I’m really nervous and stoked to be here,” he added, noting that he was cast in the role 20 years ago.

On the heels of the season finale of Lucasfilm’s all-new action-adventure series “Willow” based on George Lucas’ fantasy-adventure film, Disney+ has set a January 25, 2023 premiere date for the debut of its original documentary special, “Willow: Behind the Magic.” Featuring the series’ breakout stars and returning legends, the documentary takes viewers behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the making of the hit original series, which debuted on Disney+ November 30, 2022.

The story of “Willow” began when an aspiring sorcerer, played by Warwick Davis, is whisked away on a journey to protect an infant empress Elora Danan and vanquish the evil Queen Bavmorda from their world of Andowyne. Now, the story continues with Davis reprising his titular role as he leads an unlikely crew of heroes – which includes a now-grown Elora, who has just learned of her prodigious birthright – on a quest to protect Andowyne from an even larger foe than they had imagined possible.

Rock Island Returns

Production is now under way at the Pinnacle Studios in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia on the second season of Network 10 and Nickelodeon kids’ mystery adventure series “Rock Island Mysteries.” The show is produced by Fremantle Australia with support by Screen Queensland and federal body Screen Australia. The 20-episode season sees teenager Taylor Young, portrayed by Alexa Curtis, and friends again take up the challenge of finding Taylor’s missing uncle. “Rock Island Mysteries” is produced by series producer Timothy Powell and Jonah Klein of Fremantle Australia. Directors include Jovita O’Shaughnessy and Evan Clarry. Season 1 premiered on 10 Shake in May this year and has since screened on Nickelodeon in Australia, New Zealand, U.K., and the U.S. It is currently streaming on 10 Play, Paramount+ in Australia and Latin America and on Binge. Season 1 premiered on 10 Shake in May this year and has since screened on Nickelodeon in Australia,...

The final poster for Lucasfilm and Imagine Entertainment’s all-new action-adventure series “Willow” unveiled. And in the coming month, the series based on George Lucas’ fantasy-adventure film will begin streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar in English and Hindi.

The story began when an aspiring sorcerer, played by Warwick Davis, is whisked away on a journey to protect an infant empress Elora Danan and vanquish the evil Queen Bavmorda from their world of Andowyne.

Now, the story continues with Davis reprising his titular role, as he leads an unlikely crew of heroes on a quest to protect Andowyne from an even larger foe than they had imagined possible.

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A post shared by Disney+ Hotstar (@disneyplushotstar)

“Willow” also stars Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori, Amar Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, and Joanne Whalley. Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jonathan Kasdan, Tommy Harper, Wendy Mericle, Roopesh Parekh, Ron Howard,...

The minute-long “Special Look” video for Disney+’s Willow showcases the return of the titular character, teases a search for Elora, and declares “their first quest is the world’s last hope.” There’s a little bit of action, some magical moments, a lot of humor, and a character who looks like the Cryptkeeper.

The new video arrived along with the final poster for season one.

Warwick Davis reprises his role as Willow and Joanne Whalley returns as Sorsha. The cast also includes Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori, Amar Chadha-Patel, and Dempsey Bryk.

Ron Howard, director of the 1988 film (written by George Lucas and Bob Dolman), executive produces along with Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jonathan Kasdan, Tommy Harper, Wendy Mericle, Roopesh Parekh, and Samie Kim Falvey. John Bickerstaff, Hannah Friedman, and Jonathan Kasdan are the season one writers, and Stephen Woolfenden, Julia Cooperman, Hameed Shaukat, and Max Taylor serve as producers.

Stars: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Rupert Friend, Sung Kang, Moses Ingram, Vivien Lyra Blair, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, O’Shea Jackson Jr. | Written by Stuart Beattie, Hossein Amini, Joby Harold, Hannah Friedman, Andrew Stanton | Directed by Deborah Chow

Isn’t it kind of fascinating how we live in a world where it seems as though everybody now loves the Star Wars prequel trilogy all of a sudden? When those films were initially released, they were met with some of the most insane waves of criticism any franchise has ever seen. Do you know how much the Star Wars sequels are hated? That’s essentially how much the prequels were hated on back in the day.

But, fast-forward to 2022, it seems as though everybody has embraced them and cherishes them. But, let me tell you – this Star Wars fan has been a fan of those three movies since the very first time my eyes saw them.

Exclusive: Jeff Huang and Carl Choi, entrepreneurs and lifelong fans of comic book, fantasy/sci-fi, and horror storytelling, have formed Six Studios as a genre-focused content company. In its first major content move, the company has acquired rights to the first six books in Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts’ international bestselling fantasy book series The Riftwar Cycle for television. Writers Hannah Friedman, Jacob Pinion and Nick Bernardone are attached to adapt the books for a potential series.

The Riftwar Saga series, considered one of the best known pieces of fantasy IP not yet adapted for the screen, started with the 1982 publication of Feist’s Magician, the first of what now spans more than 30 books and short stories. They have sold more than...

Dempsey Bryk (The Birch) has been added to the cast of Willow, Disney+ and Lucasfilm’s upcoming TV series follow-up to the 1988 fantasy movie. Bryk’s casting was revealed Friday as part of Disney+ Day, the second anniversary of the streaming platform. You can see the casting announcement below.

The film’s star Warwick Davis reprises his title role in the series, which is slated to premiere in 2022 on Disney+. Bryk joins fellow new lead cast members Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori and Amer Chadha-Patel. Davis introduced Bamber, Cruz, Kellyman, Revolori and Chadha-Patel in a video from the set. (You can watch it below).

The new incarnation of Willow comes from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; the original film’s director Ron Howard and writer Bob Dolman; as well as Lucasfilm, which produced the movie. Jonathan Entwistle is directing.

Exclusive: Amer Chadha-Patel (Doom: Annihilation) has landed a male lead opposite Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz and Erin Kellyman in Willow, Disney+ and Lucasfilm’s upcoming TV series follow-up to the 1988 fantasy movie, with the film’s star Warwick Davis reprising his title role, I have learned. Lucasfilm declined comment.

The new incarnation of Willow, which also stars Tony Revolori, comes from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; the original film’s director Ron Howard and writer Bob Dolman; as well as Lucasfilm, which produced the movie. Jonathan Entwistle is directing.

The Willow movie, written by Dolman from a story by George Lucas, starred Davis as a reluctant farmer who leads a ragtag crew on a quest to protect a special baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her. The series takes place years after the events of the film. It introduces...

Exclusive: Ruby Cruz (Castle Rock) has landed the female co-lead opposite Ellie Bamber and Erin Kellyman in Willow, Disney+ and Lucasfilm’s upcoming TV series follow-up to the 1988 fantasy movie, with the film’s star Warwick Davis reprising his title role, I have learned. She replaced Cailee Spaeny, who had been originally tapped for the role, after an extensive recasting process. Lucasfilm declined comment.

The new incarnation of Willow, which also co-stars Tony Revolori, comes from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; the original film’s director Ron Howard and writer Bob Dolman; as well as Lucasfilm, which produced the movie. Jonathan Entwistle is directing.

The Willow movie, written by Dolman from a story by George Lucas, starred Davis as a reluctant farmer who leads a ragtag crew on a quest to protect a special baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her.

Exclusive: Spider-Man franchise’s Tony Revolori is in negotiations for a lead role opposite Ellie Bamber, Cailee Spaeny and Erin Kellyman in Willow, Disney+ and Lucasfilm’s upcoming TV series follow-up to the 1988 fantasy movie, with the film’s star Warwick Davis reprising his title role, I have learned. The new incarnation of Willow comes from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; the original film’s director Ron Howard and writer Bob Dolman; as well as Lucasfilm, which produced the movie. Reps for Disney+ and Lucasfilm declined comment.

The series, which marks Lucasfilm’s first venture into non-Star Wars storytelling since 2015, will take place years after the events of the film. It introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters, and welcomes back its hero Willow Ufgood (Davis).

No additional details about the series’ storyline have been released.

Crazy Rich Asians and In The Heights director Jon M. Chu has stepped down from directing the pilot for Disney+’s upcoming series, Willow.

The filmmaker announced his exit on Monday afternoon, noting that he’s “heartbroken” to step away from the project.

“With the production schedule moving due to continued lockdowns in the UK, and with a new baby coming this summer (surprise!), the timing is just not going to work for me and my family,” Chu wrote in a statement. “As you may know, Willow has been one of my favorite movies since I was a child, so I’m devastated that I won’t be able to work with my heroes old and new like Kathy, Ron, Jon, Wendy, Michelle, and the amazing cast and crew they’ve put together.”

In October 2020, Disney+ announced that Chu would helm the series pilot. The announcement of the new Disney+ series,...

Jon M. Chu is stepping away from directing the Disney+ series “Willow” due to timing issues, the filmmaker announced Monday on Instagram.

“I’m heartbroken to let you all know that I unfortunately have to step away from directing ‘Willow,'” he wrote. “With the production schedule moving due to continued lockdowns in the UK, and with a new baby coming this summer (surprise!), the timing is just not going to work for me and my family.”

In October, it was announced that Disney+ gave the green light to a “Willow” sequel series from Lucasfilm and Ron Howard, the director of the 1988 original. Chu signed on to direct the pilot.

The new series, which will see Warwick Davis reprise his role as the titular character, will take place years after the events of Howard’s film.

Howard is an executive producer on the project, with “Solo” writer Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle serving as showrunners.

Ron Howard’s “Willow” sequel series has found its three female leads, TheWrap has confirmed.

Ellie Bamber, Cailee Spaeny and Erin Kellyman are in talks to star in the Disney+ follow-up to Howard’s 1988 original film. They join star Warwick Davis, who will reprise his role as the titular character.

Plot and character details are being kept under wraps, but the new series is said to take place years after the events of movie.

“Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu is set to direct the pilot, which will shoot next year.

Howard is an executive producer on the project, with “Solo” writer Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle serving as showrunners.

Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Chu, Kasdan, Mericle, Howard and Imagine Television will serve as executive producers, with Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman as co-executive producers. Bob Dolman, writer of the original film, will serve as consulting producer with Julia Cooperman as producer.

Erin Kellyman, Cailee Spaeny, and Ellie Bamber are negotiating to star in the “Willow” series at Disney Plus, Variety has confirmed.

Details on the characters the three would play are being kept under wraps. The show will take place years after the original and will introduce new characters to the world originally established in the 1988 film.

Kellyman previously appeared in the Lucasfilm release “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” Her other credits include the recent BBC miniseries take on “Les Misérables” along with shows like “Life” and “Don’t Forget the Driver.” She is repped by CAA and Curtis Brown Group.

Spaeny most recently starred in ” The Craft: Legacy.” She also starred in the FX on Hulu limited series “Devs” and will appear in HBO’s upcoming “Mares of Easttown.” Her other feature credits include “Pacific Rim: Uprising” and “Bad Times at the El Royale.” She is repped by WME, Identity Agency Group,...

Exclusive: Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals), Cailee Spaeny (The Craft: Legacy) and Erin Kellyman (Solo) are in negotiations for the three female leads in Willow, Disney+ and Lucasfilm’s upcoming TV series follow-up to the 1988 fantasy movie, with the film’s star Warwick Davis reprising his title role, I have learned. The new incarnation of Willow comes from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; Jon M. Chu, who will direct the pilot episode; the original film’s director Ron Howard and writer Bob Dolman; as well as Lucasfilm, which produced the movie. A rep for Disney+ declined comment.

The Willow movie, written by Dolman from a story by George Lucas, starred Davis as a reluctant farmer who leads a ragtag crew on a quest to protect a special baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her.

The series, which marks Lucasfilm’s...

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ helmer Jon M. Chu has jumped onboard Disney+ return to ‘Willow’ with both Warwick Davis and Ron Howard set to return.

Chu will direct the pilot and will serve as executive producer along with showrunners Jonathan Kasdan (“Solo”) and Wendy Mericle (“Arrow”). Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot.

“Growing up in the ’80s, ‘Willow’ has had a profound effect on me,” says Chu. “The story of the bravest heroes in the least likely places allowed me, an Asian-American kid growing up in a Chinese restaurant looking to go to Hollywood, to believe in the power of our own will, determination and of course, inner magic. So the fact that I get to work with my heroes from Kathleen Kennedy to Ron Howard is bigger than a dream-come-true. It’s a bucket-list moment for me. Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle have added such groundbreaking new characters and delightful surprises...

The magical world of George Lucas’ “Willow,” the epic fantasy adventure set in an age of swords, sorcery, myths and monsters, will be returning in a Disney+ series slated to begin production next year.

Jon M. Chu (“In The Heights,” “Crazy Rich Asians”) is set to direct the pilot, and will serve as executive producer along with showrunners Jonathan Kasdan (“Solo”)and Wendy Mericle (“Arrow”). Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot.

“Growing up in the ’80s, ‘Willow’ has had a profound effect on me,” says Chu. “The story of the bravest heroes in the least likely places allowed me, an Asian-American kid growing up in a Chinese restaurant looking to go to Hollywood, to believe in the power of our own will, determination and of course, inner magic. So the fact that I get to work with my heroes from Kathleen Kennedy to Ron Howard is bigger than a dream come-true.

Director of 1988 feature director Ron Howard on board as EP; Warwick Davis to reprise titular role.

Jon Chu will direct a TV adaptation of Lucasfilm’s swords and sorcery epic Willow for Disney+, teaming up with the original feature’s director Ron Howard and star Warwick Davis.

Production has been earmarked for early 2021 and the producers have their eye on Wales, where most of the original feature shot.

Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot inspired by the 1988 feature that starred Davis as a farmer who rescues a baby from an evil queen.

The series marks Lucasfilm’s first venture into non-...

Disney+ has given the green light to a “Willow” sequel series from Lucasfilm and Ron Howard, the director of the 1988 original.

The new series, which will see Warwick Davis reprise his role as the titular character, will take place years after the events of Howard’s film. Jon M. Chu has signed on to direct the pilot, which is slated to shoot next year.

Howard is an executive producer on the project, with “Solo” writer Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle serving as showrunners.

“Growing up in the ’80s, ‘Willow’ has had a profound effect on me,” Chu said in a statement. “The story of the bravest heroes in the least likely places allowed me, an Asian-American kid growing up in a Chinese restaurant looking to go to Hollywood, to believe in the power of our own will, determination and of course, inner magic. So the fact that I get to...

The Willow television adaptation has been handed a series order at Disney+.

Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu will direct the pilot for the series, which is slated to begin production next year.

This comes 18 months after news of the development of the adaptation of the movie, directed by Ron Howard from a story by George Lucas, first emerged.

The fantasy film starred Warwick Davis as a reluctant farmer who plays a critical role in protecting a special baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her and take over the world. Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and Billy Barty also starred.

Chu will also serve as executive producer along with showrunners Jonathan Kasdan (Solo) and Wendy Mericle (Arrow). Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot. Ron Howard, also returns as executive producer on the series with Bob Dolman, writer of the original film, serving as consulting producer. Kathleen Kennedy,...

The enchanting world of “Willow,” created by George Lucas, is officially coming to the small screen.

Disney Plus has confirmed a sequel series taking place years after the events of the original Ron Howard-directed pic is heading into production next year. Howard is returning to the project as executive producer alongside original star Warwick Davis, who will once again play the titular hero Willow Ufgood.

The series has also tapped “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights” director Jon M. Chu to helm the pilot and exec produce. Jonathan Kasdan (“Solo”) and Wendy Mericle (“Arrow”) will serve as showrunners.

“Willow” the series hails from Lucasfilm and represents the company’s first non-“Star Wars” venture since 2015. The show will introduce all-new characters to the magical realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters. News of the official greenlight from Disney Plus comes over a year after the project was...

Award-winning songwriter Benj Pasek has announced that two songs from “Saturday Night Seder,” “When You Believe” and “Next Year” — have been released by Ghostlight Records with all proceeds benefitting Jews for Racial and Economic Justice.

“Saturday Night Seder” premiered on April 11 on YouTube as a virtual Passover event featuring Jason Alexander, Pamela Adlon, Idina Menzel, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Billy Eichner and a host of other celebrities to help tell the story of Passover through music and comedy.

As Shaina Taub, who co-wrote “Next Year” and participated in the conversation, explained: “In Judaism, there’s a principle called Tikkun Olam which means to repair the broken world and to be of service to people, and so in this current moment of Black Lives Matter and to continue with that spirit of service, it was about how we could use our Tikkun Olam. We are going to be donating all proceeds...

Cast members from Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Jagged Little Pill, Company, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Chicago, Diana, Mean Girls, Girl from the North Country, Six, and Mrs. Doubtfire will take part in Sunday’s Broadway Does Mother’s Day, a digital variety benefitting Broadway Cares’ Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Fund.

The show is designed to replace some of the funds usually raised by Broadway’s annual Easter Bonnet Competition, an event that was canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The digital sketch show will include Broadway stars, their children and their mothers, with musical numbers, comedy and special guests planned. Scheduled guests, so far, include Jill Abramovitz, Kate Baldwin, Jenni Barber, Laura Benanti, Betty Buckley, Carolee Carmello, Victoria Clark, Chuck Cooper, Claybourne Elder, Eden Espinosa, Beanie Feldstein, Harvey Fierstein, Mandy Gonzalez, Celia Rose Gooding, Molly Griggs, James Monroe Iglehart, Judy Kaye, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Raymond J. Lee,...

“Saturday Night Seder,” the star-studded virtual Passover Seder that premiered Saturday night on YouTube via www.SaturdayNightSeder.com and Buzzfeed’s Tasty YouTube, has raised more than $2,350,000 for the Cdc Foundation’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Emergency Response Fund, it was announced today.

All funds raised came from more than 27,000 individual donors who contributed via SaturdayNightSeder.com ($1.7M), BuzzFeed’s Tasty Channel on YouTube ($500K) and the Cdc Foundation’s homepage ($160K).

More than 1 million people watched the initial stream (which was trending on Twitter), but for those who missed it (or want to re-watch it!), “Saturday Night Seder” is now available to watch in its entirety, and viewers can still make donations to the Cdc Foundation. To donate or watch, visit SaturdayNightSeder.com.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is creating so many needs where we can all come together to support and bolster our health and public health systems that protect us all,...