An author's observation of wicker sculptures on a camping trip in Cornwall in 2006 sparked the creation of a short story that has since been transformed into a Hollywood feature film.
Ursula Wills, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, wrote "The Wicker Husband" after visiting Melinsey Mill, an old watermill featuring an art trail with large wicker sculptures. The story follows an ostracized fisherwoman who commissions a basket-maker to construct a husband for her.
The short story gained traction online and was adapted into a musical by Rhys Jennings and Darren Clark, premiering in March 2020. However, its run was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Later, producer Justin Lothrop acquired the film rights. After Olivia Colman joined the project in 2023, the adaptation rapidly progressed. Wills, who visited the Budapest set in 2024, described the finished film, titled "Wicker," as "unique and amazing."
"I think audiences are going to go crazy for it," Wills stated, adding that the film, which opened in UK cinemas on October 30, is a "raunchy fantasy rom-com."
While the film remains faithful to her original story, the relationship between the fisherwoman and her wicker husband has been developed to enhance the narrative. Co-writers and directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson found immediate appeal in the story's subtle hints, envisioning it as a satirical comedy about sex and marriage, a visual spectacle, and a love story.
The UK premiere of "Wicker" was held at the British Film Institute in London. Wills, who now has a literary agent, is set to release a new collection of 13 short stories in April. She believes "The Wicker Husband" continues to have potential, stating, "It's got legs and it's not finished walking yet."