There is one Maniac who is going to crazy for this news. Yes, finally Willow is coming to Blu-ray. Here is the official word from Lucasfilm Ltd:
Journey to the far corners of your imagination with Willow, for the first time ever on stunning Blu-ray! Written and produced by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, the film tells a timeless fantasy tale in which heroes come in all sizes...and adventure is the greatest magic of all. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the unforgettable classic has been fully digitally restored and debuts on Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack March 12, 2013 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
When young Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis; Harry Potter franchise) finds an abandoned baby girl, he learns she is destined to end the reign of the wicked Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh; “Upstairs, Downstairs”). In order to protect the child, Willow must team up with a rogue swordsman (Val Kilmer; Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) and overcome the forces of darkness in the ultimate battle of good versus evil!
The Willow Blu-ray and DVD include a dazzling array of extras with never-before-seen exclusive content such as deleted scenes with remarks from Ron Howard, a personal video diary of Warwick Davis, matte paintings and much more. In addition, look out for Ron Howard’s new introduction for the original 1988 featurette “The Making of an Adventure,” as well as special effect legend Dennis Muren’s new intro to his piece, “From Morf to Morphing: The Dawn of Digital Filmmaking.”
Special Features:
WILLOW is presented in widescreen with 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio (Lossless).Special features include:
NEW – Willow: Deleted Scenes with Ron Howard
NEW – Willow: An Unlikely Hero – Personal Video Diary of Warwick Davis
The Making of an Adventure with an all new introduction from Ron Howard
From Morf to Morphing with an all new introduction from Dennis Muren
Ron Howard is a great director. And this movie thankfully was done by him instead of the man who imagined it. Love this movie. Mad Martigan is one of the most fun cahracters I can remember from my childhood. He's the greatest swordsman who ever lived.
Beautiful film, one of my favourites. I still have to wonder if Peter Jackson drew inspiration from the battle between Fin Raziel and Bavmorda in this, when directing Gandalf Vs Saruman in Fellowship of the Ring.
WOW!!!!!...and that maniac that Robert was referring to is me of course!!!! LOL!! Man, I think he's right, I'm going to go crazy over this amazing news...FINALLY!!!!!!! I mean what the hell was Lucasfilm waiting for, hell to freeze over or the end of time itself?!!! But that's alright, all is forgiven now that I'm in a state of euphoria!!! Willow on bluray and dvd combo what better package then that? I've got a bluray disc drive on my laptop so I'll have the best of both worlds, playing both bluray and dvd. New behind the scenes footage and expecially the long sought after DELETED LEGENDARY LOST SCENES!!!!!! Amazing news, Robert, thanks for sharing my friend!!!!!
Among the lost scenes are: Willow escaping while a battle in the valley takes place, a strange boy creature changes into a shark monster and attacks Willow in a boat after he leaves the island, he and Madmartigan cast a spell burning down a wall of thorns, Sorcha speaking with her pertified father, a caged Madmartigan being attacked by barbarians, and an extended sorceress dual between Bavmorda and Fin Rasiel...and believe it or not, that's not all of them!! More than enough for one to create an expanded edition, wouldn't you say?!! INDEED!!!
One of the few Ron Howard movies that I loved...I cannot wait to add this to my collection. A childhood classic for me.