There's a trailer available now for the remake of The Wicker Man. Yes, you read right. They've remade The Wicker Man. Did we really need a remake? I don't think so, but others may disagree.
I have to say though, it doesn't look a huge amount like the original, particularly since it stars Nicolas Cage and appears to be all about Satan-worshippers rather than pagans. So it's more like a “re-imagining” in the parlance of Hollywood and not for the better. Oh well. I have little faith it'll be any good, and what faith I have comes from the fact Neil LaBute is directing it. Let the forces of nature and a giant maypole prove me wrong.
Anyone reckon that Nick Cage is going to be burnt alive in a huge wicker effigy at the end, though? Thought not.
PS Nice references to Edward Woodward in the trailer. That, at least, was a nice touch.
Updates and related entries
June 9, 2006: We've already discussed the mostly senseless decision to remake The Wicker Man, which is coming to a cinema near you soon, sans pagans, sans great big wicker man. Brace yourself though. There's another remake being planned. I don't know...
June 7, 2006 | Reply
No, no, NO. Remaking the Wicker Man in anyway shape or form is just plain wrong, but this is just stupid. No amount of EW references will let this pile of stench off the hook.
June 8, 2006 | Reply
I don't know, if they burn Nick Cage alive I know quite a few people who'll fork out quite a lot of cash just to see that, possibly several times.
June 8, 2006 | Reply
The idea for a remake has been knocking around for a very long time, and it's always been a dumb, dumb idea. Making it devil-worshippers misses the point of the original hugely. And Nic Cage looks more like a donkey every day. Give that man a carrot and a sugar lump.
Now, the idea of turning Wicker Man into a stage musical — that's a good one. Singalongasacrifice!!