The recent Hollywood trend that “If it worked the first time, so why don’t we do it again” may have finally caught up with The Wicker Man. Although various proposals of remakes and sequels have surfaced over the years, with no sign of actual progress, it now appears that Joe Berlinger, director of last year’s Blair Witch 2 is rumored to be planning a remake of Christopher Lee’s 1973 cult classic. A plan that leaves many fans of the film rather unimpressed, not to mention the star of the original himself, who recently said:
"I read a review that mentioned that this person, who ever he is, had directed Blair Witch 2, then it mentioned right at the end of this review that there is talk that he is intending to remake The Wicker Man. There were three words after that: SOMEBODY STOP HIM! I think it (the original Wicker Man) is a unique film, and it simply wouldn’t work in America."
Considering the non-event that was Blair Witch 2, it should come as no surprise that Mr. Lee showed considerably more enthusiasm for Robin Hardy’s proposed sequel of sorts:
"Robin Hardy has written another script, which in many ways I think is better, which we are trying to get together called The Riding of the Laddie. It’s a fantastic story that is really thrilling and exotic and erotic and exciting. It’s just like The Wicker Man, but not like the Wicker Man because it’s not the same story, of course."
Hardy, the director of the original is not the only one with a follow-up in mind. Anthony Shaffer, who wrote the screenplay to The Wicker Man has also had a treatment prepared since as early as 1979. Will a Wicker Man loom once more over a remote Scottish shoreline? As with previous proposals, nothing concrete has emerged so far, but the original will certainly rise once more as it receives a deluxe DVD release from Anchor Bay Entertainment later this year.