With the distaste of Neil LaBute’s dismal remake of The Wicker Man still festering in many peoples mouths, Robin Hardy has come to the rescue with a sequel to his original take on the story.
While not necessarily a direct sequel, The Wicker Tree will explore similar themes to the first installment. Posted on the film’s official website, the trailer (via Bleeding Cool) sets a moody atmosphere with its religious voice0ver.
In an interview with Shock Til You Drop, Christopher Lee – who starred in the original movie – discussed his role in this overdue sequel.
They wrote this script, I was originally going to play the lead, and do quite a lot of singing. But by the time they got around to offering me the part, I was in New Mexico doing The Resident with Hilary Swank – a delightful person – so I couldn’t play the lead.
Don’t really know who I play in honesty, I’m not named. Good god, I don’t play Summerisle. He’d be at least 38 years older. I was 50 when I shot the movie, so I suppose I could have done without it being too much of a stretch. I don’t know what happens in the film in truth, it’s a bit of a mystery to me. Apparently it’s in the style of the first whatever that means and it explores similar themes.
However I wish them all the luck in the world of course because they have a superb cast and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be good with all the talent they have attached. It didn’t matter if my role was going to be large or small in The Wicker Tree. Audiences expected me to be in it anyway, and I am, so why do longer than a day’s work when that perception is out there already?
While his comments don’t exactly ooze faith in the project, the original’s campy tone does appear to remain intact. We can only hope that a few of the scares made it too.
At the very least, and this can’t be overstated, Nicholas Cage is nowhere to be seen.
Thanks to Dead Central for the embed.
