In brief
Robin Hardy’s iconic 1973 film The Wicker Man was meant to be the first of a trilogy. After the director’s death in 2016 the project stalled. A surprising discovery of a long‑lost archive revealed the outline for a third film, prompting Justin and Dominic Hardy to realise the original vision. Filming wrapped in Shetland with local actors and crew. The final installment, Wrath of the Gods, premieres now, paying tribute to Hardy’s legacy and the island community.
In 1973 Robin Hardy released a film that would go on to become a touchstone of folk horror. He intended it as the first chapter of a larger story that would explore themes of ritual, community and nature.
The idea of a trilogy was set aside when Hardy passed away in 2016 at the age of 86. For years the vision remained unfinished, until a chance find in a family attic revealed six sacks of letters, script pages and storyboards. The discovery sparked a resurgence of interest in the original narrative.
Family friends and historians helped recover the documents, which included a detailed outline for a third and final film. Justin and Dominic Hardy, both filmmakers in their own right, took the material and developed a new story set on the remote islands of Shetland. Their plot follows a grieving widow who confronts the island’s hidden history while the community grapples with the return of Viking and Norse myths.
The new film, titled Wrath of the Gods, was shot in 2025 on the Shetland islands, bringing together local talent and aligning with the traditional practices of the community. The production embraced the island’s rugged landscapes and cultural heritage, respecting land use traditions and supporting native employment.
The premiere takes place at FrightFest in London, a celebration that honours both the film and the legacy of their father. The event also honours their mother Caroline, an uncredited executive producer who supported the original project, as well as the local community that made the final film possible.
