EPISODE · Jan 21, 2026 · 15 MIN
BONUS Tie-in 56 - Willow (teaser)
from Uncut Gems Podcast · host Uncut Gems Podcast
In this inaugural bonus tie-in podcast for the year 2026, which also happens to be the year of the 1980's for us on the show, we are tying into our January debates on 80's fantasy trend with our take on the 1988 Willow. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us retrace the oral history of how this movie came together and how it all led back to George Lucas and Star Wars. We talk about Ron Howard as a directorial presence stylistically aligned to Lucas and Spielberg, the many struggles of building a universe from the ground up and that fundamental archetypes seem to work best for audiences. We also discuss Warwick Davis as a lead (and the fact he wasn't the top billing in the credits), Val Kilmer as a lovable rogue and we also try to map the entire movie onto the framework of Star Wars. We touch on the film's villain problem, its groundbreaking special effects and much more!Tune in and enjoy! Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
What this episode covers
In this inaugural bonus tie-in podcast for the year 2026, which also happens to be the year of the 1980's for us on the show, we are tying into our January debates on 80's fantasy trend with our take on the 1988 Willow. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us retrace the oral history of how this movie came together and how it all led back to George Lucas and Star Wars. We talk about Ron Howard as a directorial presence stylistically aligned to Lucas and Spielberg, the many struggles of building a universe from the ground up and that fundamental archetypes seem to work best for audiences. We also discuss Warwick Davis as a lead (and the fact he wasn't the top billing in the credits), Val Kilmer as a lovable rogue and we also try to map the entire movie onto the framework of Star Wars. We touch on the film's villain problem, its groundbreaking special effects and much more!Tune in and enjoy! Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
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BONUS Tie-in 56 - Willow (teaser)
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