The Super Sunday Double Feature: Howard the Duck & Willow

Now through September, we’re celebrating George Lucas’ 80th birthday with Super Sunday Double Feature virtual watch parties! Lucas turned 80 on May 14, 2024. Perhaps best known for the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series, we are exploring some of his lesser well-known films.

Join us Sunday, July 14 Howard the Duck (1986) and Willow (1988). George Lucas served as an Executive Producer on both films and wrote the story for Willow.

The Super Sunday Double Feature pays homage to classic movie matinees, TV weekend movies, and drive-in double features. We’ll be watching two films that George Lucas was instrumental in bringing to the big screen.

The double feature begins at 11 AM ET (10 AM CT, 9 AM MT, 8 AM PT, 15:00 GMT) and runs all day.

Howard the Duck will air at the following times:

• 11:00 AM ET / 10:00 AM CT / 9:00 AM MT / 8:00 AM PT
• 3:15 PM ET / 2:15 PM CT / 1:15 PM MT / 12:15 PM PT
• 7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 5:30 PM MT / 4:30 PM PT
• 11:45 PM ET / 10:45 PM CT / 9:45 PM MT / 8:45 PM PT
• 4:00 AM ET / 3:00 AM CT / 2:00 AM MT / 1:00 AM PT

Willow will air at these times:

• 1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM MT / 10:00 AM PT
• 5:15 PM ET / 4:15 PM CT / 3:15 PM MT / 2:15 PM PT
• 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM MT / 6:30 PM PT
• 1:45 AM ET / 12:45 AM CT / 11:45 PM MT / 10:45 PM PT
• 6:00 AM ET / 5:00 AM CT / 4:00 AM MT / 3:00 AM PT

This is a ten-minute intermission with vintage commercials and trailers between each movie.

These virtual watch parties are free but exclusive to members of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord server. Join our Discord server free now at discord.gg/galaxysedge.

Howard the Duck (1986) [PG]

Howard the Duck is a 1986 superhero film directed by Willard Huyck and written by Huyck and Gloria Katz. George Lucas served as an Executive Producer on the film, with Lucasfilm producing and Industrial Light & Magic doing special effects.

Around the time they were working on American Graffiti, George Lucas told Huyck and Katz about the Howard the Duck comic, calling it “very funny.” Lucas, Huyck, and Katz all attended film school at the University of Southern California.

The cast includes Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, and Tim Robbins in one of his first film roles. Ed Gale and Jordan Prentice performed Howard the Duck, with Tim Rose, Steve Sleap, Peter Baird, Mary Wells, and Lisa Sturz acting as additional puppeteers.

Chip Zien provided Howard’s voice, with John Cusack, Robin Williams, and Martin Short all auditioning for the role. Williams was initially cast, working for work a week before quitting because it was too constraining to match the movements of the mouth.

Distributed by Universal Pictures, it was a critical and commercial flop, barely making back its production budget. Still, it was one of the first theatrical comic book movies and has developed a small cult following.

Willow (1988) [PG]

Willow is a 1988 fantasy epic directed by Ron Howard and written by Bob Dolman based on a story by George Lucas. Lucas originally came up with the idea in 1972 and pitched it to Howard in 1985. Lucas had previously directed Howard in his 1973 film American Graffiti.

Warwick Davis stars as the title character, an aspiring sorcerer, with Valmer playing the swordsman Madmartigan. The cast also includes Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, Patricia Hayes, Gavan O’Herlihy, Pat Roach, Kevin Pollak, Rick Overton, and Billy Barty.

Distributed by MGM/UA, it underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics. However, it fared much better on home video release and has developed a strong cult following.

How Do You Watch?

You can watch for free on the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord server. We’ll be broadcasting from Meetup Room 1, and you can text chat with others while you watch.

New to Discord? Discord is a free messaging and discussion app available on all major mobile devices and computer operating systems. Just install the app, create an account, and join our server.

Other events in the Super Sunday Double Feature series include:

• Sunday, June 16: THX-1138 (1971) and American Graffiti (1973)
• Sunday, July 14: Howard the Duck (1986) and Willow (1988)
• Sunday, August 4: Radioland Murders (1994) and Red Tails (2012)
• Sunday, September 8: The Clone Wars (2008) and Strange Magic (2015)

Why Not Include Star Wars or Indiana Jones Films?

The Super Sunday Double Feature is loosely based on movie matinees, TV weekend movies, and drive-in double features. While they might occasionally include a blockbuster, they mostly showed mid-range hits and cult classics.

Adapting those ideas to our modern age, we wanted to focus on George Lucas’ work outside of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Still, Lucas played a pivotal role in making each one of these movies.

Plus, we already host virtual watch parties for the Star Wars movies and are looking at options for an Indiana Jones special presentation in the future.

What Is the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord?

The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord is a fan-run group celebrating all things Star Wars and Disney parks. Perhaps best known for hosting lightsaber meetups at Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and Disney World, the SWGEDiscord is a family-friendly and inclusive space where fans can discuss all aspects of Star Wars and Galaxy’s Edge safely.

In addition to our saber meetups, we host in-person and virtual events, including a book club, watch and listening parties, trivia nights, and more. Our Discord server has channels dedicated to planning your visit to Galaxy’s Edge on either coast, the latest stock updates, and talking about your favorite Star Wars shows, movies, books, and comics.