‘Star Wars’ Echoes in the Plot of ‘Willow’

The secretive George Lucas isn’t talking about the “Willow” story line. Neither is the rest of the “Willow” gang.

But The Times has obtained a copy of the working script (subject to change, of course) by Bob Dolman, based upon a story by Lucas.

Turns out it’s set a long time ago, in a kind of world far, far away, and involves an unlikely hero on a quest. But in order to carry out that quest our hero must first learn to summon up the magical powers that lie within him.

Sound familiar? There are more “Star Wars”-like touches--a re luctant swashbuckling sidekick, a feisty, fighting femme. Plus, all kinds of odd-looking creatures.

(But in “Willow,” there are no spaceships. And the baddie wears a crown rather than a black mask.)

Curious for more? Then read on, but keep in mind that “Willow” is a work in progress. Editing, special effects and other elements of post-production could bring about changes.

It all begins one night at the foreboding Nockmaar Castle, which looms atop a volcanic mountainside. . . .

There’s another castle, a good one--named Tir Asleen. Located across the valley of flowers, Tir Asleen is the destination of Willow Ufgood--a Nelwyn farmer who’s seeking to fulfill a prophecy.

At 3-foot-4, Willow is short as Nelwyns go. But the task ahead for him is a tall one. He’s got to muster up the courage--and the magic--to escort a very special baby girl (she’s a Daikini, which is another race) to her heritage. Warwick Davis, who played Wicket the Ewok in “Return of the Jedi,” is Willow.

Ah, but there are so many obstacles--not the least of which is evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh), with her Nockmaar troops and their hideous Death Dogs.

Willow finds a sidekick in Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), a roguish opportunist who deems himself “the greatest swordsman who ever lived.”

En route to Tir Asleen, they encounter a slew of beasties--like baby-eating Picts (with tattooed faces and arms), attacking trolls, Rock Puffers (pillow-size wall crabs that screech) and the two-headed Eborsisk.

Madmartigan meets the beautiful, red-haired Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), with whom he exchanges longing gazes. But wait, she’s the daughter of the wicked queen. . . . There’s magical stuff too. And cute scenes--like the one in which elves make the baby cry in order to collect her tears (in tiny elf buckets). How else to create dew drops?

And there’s enchantment, like the fairy kingdom where “the forest is a luminous Milky Way of dancing, flying fairies, like fireflies.” Foremost among the fairies: the sylphlike fairy queen Cherlindrea.

For more details, check your local theater next May 25, which also happens to be the 11th anniversary of the release of “Star Wars.”