[Nathaniel]

Call it morbid curiosity, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing how this project develops. It's being described as a "reimagining" of the 1973 Wicker Man, helmed by the same director, Robin Hardy. Hardy's output has been very sparse (two feature films and a television series over the last 35 years), which makes this a kind of comeback movie. I don't foresee it being very successful, since the Neil LaBute Wicker Man has become something of a camp classic since its release in 2006.

The provocatively titled Cowboys for Christ could turn out to be a corrective to the LaBute debacle, or perhaps a debacle in itself, I don't know. But as an A&F member interested in the horror genre in general (and of the Christianity vs. Paganism clash in particular), I'll probably go see this regardless of bad buzz. Provided it ever gets made.

As any of our British A&F friends can tell you, the original Wicker Man is, or was, kind of a big deal in the UK (it was voted #96 in the BFI 100 poll), and this new project was apparently juicy enough to lure Christopher Lee back for second helpings. (Although he'll appear in just about anything these days—just look at all those videogame credits!)

Filming is scheduled to begin in March.

This post has been edited by Nathaniel: 16 January 2008 - 07:14 PM

[Peter T Chattaway]

Links to the threads on the 1973 and 2006 versions of The Wicker Man.

[Peter T Chattaway]

Still set to start shooting in April. (Warning: rear nude shot of body double from the original Wicker Man.)

[Peter T Chattaway]

Joan Collins
Joan Collins has joined the cast of Robin Hardy's "Cowboys for Christ." Pic tells the story of a gospel singer and her cowboy friend who set off from Texas to enlighten Scottish heathens about the ways of Christ. Collins will play a Scottish landed gent's wife.
Variety, February 6

[Peter T Chattaway]

Wicker Man sequel shelved
The sequel to cult film 'The Wicker Man' has been shelved because of "financing problems".
STV.tv, April 7

[Peter T Chattaway]

Looks like we need to re-name the thread!

- - -

Exclusive Set Report: The Wicker Tree Grows in Scotland
In The Wicker Tree, Beth is a successful pop music singer and devout member of the "Cowboys for Christ" Protestant church in Texas. She and her fiancé Steve, who wear silver "purity" rings, are dedicating a year of their lives to missionary work among the "heathens" in the small village of Tressock in the lowlands of Scotland. After performing a concert at a local cathedral there, they are befriended by Laird (Lord) Lachlan and his wife Delia, who invite them to join the May Day celebration. Lovely Beth becomes Queen of the May, while Steve is honored as the best-looking, cleverest young man around, known the Laddie. What they don't realize is that they've agreed to become an integral part of a pagan rite worshipping the ancient Celtic goddess Sulis.
ShockTillYouDrop.com, August 11

[Persona]

I mean -- Cowboys For Christ?? Sounds like an a evangelical summer camp.

Complete with cowboy hats, horse rides, guns, tongues and a Jesse James Faith Healing evangelist.

Jesus Camp for cowboys only...

(edit) Then again, what would a sequel to one of earth's most horrible films actually look like or be called? Maybe they should keep the old title...

This post has been edited by Persona: 12 August 2009 - 09:23 AM