The final film in Robin Hardy's folk horror trilogy, "Wrath of the Gods," is set to premiere at the horror festival FrightFest in London. The completion of the saga brings closure not only to the story but also to the late director Justin Hardy's family, more than 50 years after the original "The Wicker Man" was conceived.
The film's premiere is overshadowed by the recent death of Justin Hardy last month at the age of 61. "We all were – still are – looking forward to seeing the finished film," said John Hardy, Justin's brother. "But now it's not just a celebration of the film, it's a celebration of Justin and his life. It will be wonderful and sad. A complex mixture of emotions."
Lynsey Hardy, another sibling, described the film as a testament to their late brother's vision. "It was such a massive risk," she said. "So to get to the end of that process, when it's going to be on a screen, feels a bit miraculous really and it's so vexing that Justin isn't going to be there to see what he so passionately wanted to achieve."
"Wrath of the Gods" is also dedicated to Justin's mother, Caroline Hardy, who was an uncredited executive producer on the original 1973 film. She died in 1984 at the age of 51, unaware of the enduring popularity her backing would help create.
"It will be poignant beyond imagining. A sad but celebratory moment," said Dominic Hardy, another brother. "I know that he [Justin] was extremely proud of it being taken by FrightFest. Justin's efforts have brought us all together as a family and helped us harness all our energy."
The Hardy family's involvement spans generations, with Robin Hardy directing the original "The Wicker Man" in 1973, and his sons Justin and Dominic, alongside daughter Lynsey, now completing the trilogy. The original film, starring Edward Woodward, depicted a police sergeant investigating a remote Scottish island community with a disturbing pagan belief system. The new film, "Wrath of the Gods," is described as a prequel and follows a Christian historian who travels to the remote island after receiving a mysterious summons.