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Val Kilmer making comeback as Madmartigan in ‘Willow’ TV series

Val Kilmer is reprising his Willow role for a TV series of the film credit:Bang Showbiz
Val Kilmer is reprising his Willow role for a TV series of the film credit:Bang Showbiz

Val Kilmer's Madmartigan character is making a comeback in Disney+ show ‘Willow’.

Executive producer of the TV version of the 1988 fantasy movie, Jonathan Kasdan, told Yahoo Entertainment that Kilmer, 62, will also be featured in the upcoming series.

He said about the cancer survivor actor’s warrior character: “Val's a huge part of this, and the first conversation I had, when Warwick and I got the greenlight to do this, was with Val.

“We wanted his character to be a part of the story. We wanted him to be in the show.”

The ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ added Kilmer was blocked from joining the cast during production during lockdown but is now ensuring “Madmartigan lives on.”.

The original film, directed by Ron Howard and produced by George Lucas, starred Warwick Davis as dwarf Willow Ufgood.

He was on a mission to shield infant Elora Danan so she could fulfill a prophecy and end the rule of the evil Queen Bavmorda.

Willow crosses paths with disgraced knight Madmartigan who joins the quest.

Warwick told Yahoo Entertainment: “Val’s spirit is very much with the series.

“we have been in touch since we made the movie, and we're good friends and he's a terrific guy. I still attribute me getting through the film to Val.

“He kept my spirits up when conditions were really treacherous and difficult. I was cold, wet, tired. He kept me laughing, kept the whole thing fun.”

Kilmer's ex-wife Joanne Whalley, who played his love interest Princess Sorsha in the original movie, is also reprising her role in the Disney+ TV series.

The couple fell in love while filming Willow, were married from 1988 until 1996, and share daughter Mercedes, 30, and son Jack, 26.

‘Willow’ the series, starting November 30, takes place 20 years after the original movie and also stars Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, Tony Revolori, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, Talisa Garcia, Dempsey Bryk and Amar Chadha-Patel.

Kilmer’s comeback follows his diagnosis with throat cancer in 2015, which led to the ‘Top Gun’ actor having a tracheostomy in 2016 that permanently damaged his vocal cords – though he is now cancer-free.

He also recently reprised his 1986 role as Iceman in the 2022 sequel ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ alongside Tom Cruise.