Pilot Kael

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

There is no official lore for a 'Pilot Kael' in the Titanfall universe. The name 'Kael' appears only as an Easter egg referencing the film critic Pauline Kael, through the character General Kael from the movie Willow. Any stories or details about a Pilot Kael are entirely fan-made and not recognized by Respawn Entertainment.

In Their Own Story

The plot follows Willow Ufgood, a Nelwyn farmer and aspiring sorcerer, who finds the baby Elora Danan after she is set adrift by midwife Ethna. Willow's village leader orders the baby returned to a Daikini family, so Willow and volunteers set out. At a crossroads, they find Madmartigan, a mercenary trapped in a crow's cage, who offers to take the baby in exchange for his freedom. Willow agrees after meeting Madmartigan's old comrade Airk leading an army to attack Nockmaar forces. On the way home, Willow and his friend Meegosh discover brownies have stolen the baby, and they are captured. Fairy Queen Cherlindrea frees them, explains the baby is Elora Danan, and gives Willow a magic wand, sending him to find enchantress Fin Raziel. Willow sends Meegosh home and continues with two brownies, Franjean and Rool. At a tavern, he re-encounters Madmartigan, who is disguising himself as a woman to hide from his lover's husband Llug. Sorsha and Kael's soldiers arrive, but a brawl helps Willow and Madmartigan escape with Elora. They are captured at the lake where Raziel lives, along with Raziel, who had been turned into a possum by Bavmorda. Willow tries to restore her but turns her into a rook instead. Franjean accidentally doses Madmartigan with love dust, causing him to declare his undying love to a skeptical Sorsha. Fleeing, Willow's party finds Airk and his army, but when the Nockmaar army pursues, Madmartigan takes Sorsha hostage. They arrive at Tir Asleen, only to find it cursed and overrun with trolls. Kael's army arrives, and in the chaos, Kael captures Elora. Sorsha, realizing she loves Madmartigan, defects. Airk's army arrives, but Kael escapes with Elora to Nockmaar Castle, where Bavmorda prepares a ritual to banish Elora into oblivion. Willow's party and Airk's army travel to Nockmaar Castle, but Bavmorda casts a spell turning them all into pigs. Willow, having used the wand to protect himself, finally restores Raziel to her human form. She reverses Bavmorda's spell, and Willow's army tricks their way into the castle. Kael slays Airk, and Madmartigan avenges him. Willow, Sorsha, and Raziel confront Bavmorda in the ritual chamber. Bavmorda incapacitates Raziel and Sorsha. Willow uses sleight-of-hand to trick Bavmorda into thinking he made Elora vanish. Bavmorda, unnerved, moves to attack him but accidentally completes the ritual while standing next to the altar, banishing herself. During celebrations at restored Tir Asleen, Willow is gifted a spellbook by Raziel. Leaving Elora in the care of Madmartigan and Sorsha, Willow returns home to his village and family in triumph.

Reader's Guide

Willow is a 1988 American high fantasy adventure film directed by Ron Howard and produced by Nigel Wooll, with George Lucas as executive producer. The film stars Warwick Davis as the title character, Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, Joanne Whalley as Sorsha, Billy Barty as High Aldwin, and Jean Marsh as Queen Bavmorda. Lucas conceived the idea in 1972, originally titled Munchkins, and approached Howard to direct during the post-production phase of Cocoon in 1985. Bob Dolman wrote the screenplay, coming up with seven drafts that Lucas was actively involved in developing, finishing in late 1986. The film was set up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, with principal photography from April 1987 to October 1987. The majority of filming took place in Dinorwic quarry in Wales, with some at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, as well as a small section in New Zealand. Industrial Light & Magic created the visual effects and animation sequences, which led to a revolutionary breakthrough with digital morphing technology. The film was released on May 20, 1988, to mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the visual effects, humour, character designs, and Warwick Davis's performances, but criticism for its direction, pacing, tone, and story. It grossed $137.6 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. While not the blockbuster some expected, it turned a profit based on international box office returns and strong home video and television returns. It received two Academy Award nominations. A television series that served as a sequel to the film was released on Disney+ in 2022 but has since been removed.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Kael' in Titanfall is a reference to film critic Pauline Kael, via the character General Kael from the 1988 film Willow, not to any in-game Pilot.
• There is no Pilot Kael in any Titanfall game, comic, or novel; the character is entirely a fan invention.
• The confusion may arise from the fact that General Kael from Willow was named after Pauline Kael, and Titanfall's Easter egg references that same film character.