Willow: Every Character, Ranked

Willow is one of many obscure but well-loved fantasy films that never quite got its due. The 1988 film from producer George Lucas and director Ron Howard did fine, but it wasn’t the blockbuster that Star Wars was. Now the cult classic is getting a second chance with a sequel series on Disney+.

Willow was chock-full of action scenes, strange creatures, and magic. The best thing about it, though, was its many fun and fascinating characters. Some are likely to return for the series, though some might be better left in the past.

10 Brownies

The Brownies were, in effect, the Jar Jar Binks of Willow. There is nothing wrong with Jar Jar or the Brownies, per se. It’s all a matter of degree. The comic relief of the film, they are a race of fairy-like little creatures based on the broonies of Scottish myth and legend.

Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton make the little creatures fun enough, but foretelling a trend in the Star Wars prequels, Lucas maybe hits the gas a little too hard with these guys. Still, if they reappear, it’s very fixable.

9 Fin Raziel

Fin Raziel is at the center of one of the most unique special effects in the movie. At the time, computer-generated animation was still in its infancy. ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) used it to startling effect in Willow to morph a tiny long-tailed possum out of its curse into the aging sorceress Fin Raziel.

Raziel had been cursed by the evil Queen Bavmorda and played a crucial role in defeating her at the end of the movie. She was portrayed by Patricia Hayes, who also starred in another 80s fantasy classic, The Neverending Story.

8 Meegosh

Meegosh is basically the Samwise Gamgee of Willow. He’s Willow’s best friend from the village of Nelwyn and joins him for at least part of their journey to save Elora Danon. Meegosh was brave and loyal and would have gone the whole way, as Samwise did, but Willow sent him home.

Meegosh is reunited with Willow at the end of the film when Willow returns triumphant. David J. Steinberg played him, but he, unfortunately, passed away in 2010.

7 Airk Thaughbaer

Queen Bavmorda and the forces of Nockmaar left much of the world of Willow in ruins. One major victim was the kingdom of Galladoorn, from which Arik Thaughbaer hails. The former knight was also once mentor and friend to Madmartigan, but the latter’s love of money (and himself) created some friction between the two.

The two reconcile when they come together to fight the forces of Nockmaar. Airk falls in battle against General Kael and is avenged by Martigan. His bravery and commitment to a cause greater than himself definitely inspired the once selfish hero.

6 High Aldwin

High Aldwin is one of the funniest characters in the movie and it’s no surprise why. He’s played by an all-time great character actor, Billy Barty (he’s also one of the reasons the live-action Masters of the Universe adaptation works).

High Aldwin was the chief sorcerer among all in the realm of Nelwyn. His real name, before taking the esteemed office, was Junn. It’s possible that Willow is now the High Aldwin, if he continued to explore magic and sorcery.

5 Queen Bavmorda

The big bad of Willow is Queen Bavmorda. The cold and cruel ruler of Nockmaar is threatened by the birth of Elora Danon, foretold to bring about Bavmorda’s downfall, and she tries to kill her.

She goes to extraordinary lengths to do so, which ultimately pits her against her own daughter Sorsha (more on her in a minute). Jean Marsh played Bavmorda and had plenty of experience playing evil witches. She also played another great 80s witch, Princess Mombi, from Return To Oz.

4 Sorsha

Sorsha is the daughter of Bavmorda and a skilled warrior. She’s also one of the many warriors sent to hunt down Elora Danon. Sorsha isn’t her mother, though, and she has a change of heart after she encounters the baby. She also falls in love with the roguish swordsman Madmartigan, played by Val Kilmer.

Joanne Whalley, who later married Kilmer in real-life, would be a great candidate to return for the streaming series, as she’s still acting. She most recently appeared in season 3 of Daredevil.

3 General Kael

Sorsha was one of the main villains of the film until she saw the light. One bad guy who never did was General Kael. The brutal enforcer of Bavmorda and high commander of her evil army, Kael had one of the most imposing looks for 80s movie villains with his nightmarish skeleton mask.

Kael takes a heavy toll on the good guys. He kills Airk Thaughbaer, among others, but is himself taken down by Madmartigan in the climax of the movie.

2 Madmartigan

Madmartigan definitely has a little bit of Han Solo’s DNA in him. The mercenary swordsman is for hire and for-profit, not really caring about anything else or anyone. Still, he’s charming (to the frustration of Sorsha) and Val Kilmer turns in one of his best early performances in the movie.

Martigan eventually realizes the importance of saving Elora and becomes a real hero in the end. The sequel books unceremoniously killed Martigan off, but perhaps the series will avoid that mistake. Hopefully, it’s possible for Kilmer to return to the role in the series.

1 Willow Ufgood

There’s no doubt about Willow coming back. Warwick Davis is already signed on to reprise the hero. The heart and soul of the original movie, Willow Ufgood is, in many ways, the quintessential everyman. He’s a regular guy, though he happens to be an aspiring sorcerer.

When Elora Danon drifts down the river into his life, it changes forever. His bravery in the face of great danger made him a true hero and it will be fascinating to see where he is, after over 30 years have passed.

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