EXCLUSIVE: There will be no second season Arrow, Disney+’s original live-action series based on the 1988 fantasy film directed by Ron Howard. The news comes two months after the eight-episode first season of the show, which served as a sequel to the classic film, ended its run on the streaming platform.
Arrow, which took off years after the film’s events, did not have the zeitgeist cultural impact of the original, but was well received by critics, scoring an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although the series does not continue, Arrow remains an important IP in the Lucasfilm library, so it may be revisited in the future.
The news comes as Lucasfilm has reassessed its film slate and is taking time to identify the next film in it Star wars franchise. Meanwhile, the company has built a significant Star wars TV footprint on Disney+ with series like the live-action hit The Mandalorian and the future Ahsoka, Acolyte and Skeleton Crew as well as animated fare.
The cancellation also comes amid increased scrutiny from media companies, including Disney, which has curbed spending on streaming content in the pursuit of profitability.
Arrow introduced new characters and was set in a world where brownies, wizards, trolls and other mystical creatures flourish. An unlikely group of heroes embark on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their homes, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world.
Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Amer Chadha-Patel and Tony Revolori starred alongside Warwick Davis reprising his title role as Willow Ufgood.
Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot and served as co-showrunner along with Wendy Mericle; Howard and author Bob Dolman. Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan also served as executive producers.