Horror classic The Wicker Man is being adapted into a TV series.
According to Deadline, the upcoming show is being developed by Urban Myth Films and The Imaginarium – Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish’s production company.
The show has reportedly been in the works for some time following the 2006 adaptation of The Wicker Man starring Nicolas Cage.
War of the Worlds writer Howard Overmann has already penned the script after Urban Myth and The Imaginarium acquired The Wicker Man rights from Studio Canal.
“They are in the early stages of pitching to potential broadcasters,” said Deadline.
The 1973 original starred Edward Woodward as Sgt. Neil Howie – a policeman who travels to the island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. One of the founding films of the folk horror genre, The Wicker Man tells the story of a small community that has abandoned Christianity in favor of a form of Paganism, with Christopher Lee as the enigmatic Lord Summerisle.
Overman told Deadline that the TV show will differ from the original film but will “explore the same themes of sacrifice, superstition, and ritual that were at its core.”
The Imaginarium co-founder Jonathan Cavendish said that Overman has “created a bold, shocking, and unique series, pulling the themes and terrifying power of the original Wicker Man into a thrilling modern setting.”
IGN’s review of The Wicker Man remake gave it 7/10 and said: “The Wicker Man is a competent thriller with some clever moments, a few nice scares, and some inventive visuals. It's weird enough to engage those seeking something a little different, but not really daring enough to break ground. The cast aid the story with strong performances across the board, and LaBute's direction gives the film an edginess that drives Wicker's best moments.”
Want to read more about The Wicker Man? Check out Nicolas Cage’s top 10 misfires as well as the 21 movies audiences hated the most.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/the-wicker-man-tv-show-in-development-at-andy-serkis-the-imaginarium