The Wicker Man TV Series

[DR Herbert West]

‘The Wicker Man’ – Andy Serkis Turning the Classic Folk Horror Movie into a TV Series

Folk horror property The Wicker Man is once again burning to life with a TV series adaptation in the works, Deadline reports. Via the site, “Almost 50 years after the release of Robin Hardy’s horror classic, Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish’s The Imaginarium and Studiocanal-backed Urban Myth Films are turning The Wicker Man into a TV series.”

Howard Overman (War of the Worlds) wrote the script for the small screen adaptation, with Urban Myth and The Imaginarium in the “early stages of pitching to potential broadcasters.”

Starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee, the original The Wicker Man movie was released in 1973. Neil LaBute directed a remake in 2006, which starred Nicolas Cage.

The classic tale “follows Police Sergeant Neil Howle, who journeys by seaplane to the remote Hebridean Island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. The devout Christian is dismayed to find the Islanders paying homage to the pagan Celtic gods of their ancestors and all hell breaks loose, ending in tragedy.”

The planned television series adaptation, according to writer Howard Overman, will “explore the same themes of sacrifice, superstition and ritual that were at its core.”

“The Wicker Man” series will also reportedly take place in a “modern setting.”

[GeneD5]

This is pretty sweet - will definitely check it out.

[atlantajoseph]

Gotta pass on this one - the original is fantastic and holds up. Midsommar also exists for those wanting a similar theme with some twists. These types of stories are better fit for movie length IMO.

[RandomMovieFan]

I saw Nicholas Cage at the top of my screen i screamed but thank god he is not in this

[Damon1281]

" take place in a modern setting"

Here we go.

[Dunemoon]

Originally Posted by Damon1281

" take place in a modern setting"

Here we go.

I’ll stick with the original film. Proof once again that there isn’t enough talent to create something new. Just ruin what came before.

[Kedrix]

I am curious as to how a television series would work. Assumedly, we would know how it ends but are they building tension between the 8 and 10 episodes, or what exactly?

The original movie was awesome but it worked at least for me on the premise that you had never seen it before (or read any spoilers beforehand). Then after that, I could go back and watch the multiple cuts and get into the layers of the film.

A TV series is done stylistically different, and I'd be curious to how it's going to play out.

[Damon1281]

Originally Posted by Dunemoon

I’ll stick with the original film. Proof once again that there isn’t enough talent to create something new. Just ruin what came before.

It's almost like it's intentional. They see elves and want to make orcs out of it. More to piss people off than to make money. Our forefathers need a comeuppance, it would seem.

[master gandhi]

So I wonder if it'll be a limited series with a self-contained beginning and ending, or would it tell the story from the townspeople's perspective and they would sacrifice different people over the course of multiple seasons? Kind of a weird property to turn into a series IMO.

[EvaDK]

Will Serkis base his adaption directly on the cult classic film itself, or the novel (Ritual) that the 1973 film was a loose adaption of?

One interesting idea that was introduced in the film, was that of the somewhat rigid and unlikable protagonist, squared against a hyper charismatic antagonist. The trick of making the policeman feel like an unwelcome intruder in a harmonic isolated society, was superbly executed.

[BudBaxter]

“The Wicker Man” series will also reportedly take place in a “modern setting.”

As opposed to the 2 movie adaptations which took place when exactly?

[Dunemoon]

Originally Posted by BudBaxter

As opposed to the 2 movie adaptations which took place when exactly?

The sensibilities will be modern.

[An4h0ny]

It's possible that this won't suck.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by An4h0ny

It's possible that this won't suck.

All options are on the table until we get to watch it.

[An4h0ny]

Originally Posted by mwynn

All options are on the table until we get to watch it.

I agree.

Expect nothing and you'll never be disappointed.

[Damon1281]

Originally Posted by An4h0ny

It's possible that this won't suck.

Sucking is the default now, until proven otherwise. I don't see how this works outside of it just being a mini-series. A Wickerman three times the length of Midsommar.

[Dunemoon]

Originally Posted by Damon1281

Sucking is the default now, until proven otherwise. I don't see how this works outside of it just being a mini-series. A Wickerman three times the length of Midsommar.

That’s not personal truth but actual truth.

[roberteklund]

The petition to cast Nicolas Cage and a bunch of bees start here!

[Gillyguy]

I think the creators of this need to keep their appointment with the Wicker Man!
I know I will watch it out of curiosity but my expectations of anything half way decent are in the dungeon. Creak!

[Benoit Blanc]

Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent.