Scripted

Today Urban Myth Films and The Imaginarium confirm they have partnered on WICKER MAN having acquired the rights from STUDIOCANAL to produce a television series adaptation of cult horror film THE WICKER MAN. They are in early talks with potential broadcasters.

The adaptation is a total reimagining of the 1973 folk horror film as an eight-part television series and will be written by BAFTA award-winning writer Howard Overman (War of The Worlds, Misfits).

THE WICKER MAN is often cited as one of the most influential horror films of all time. Overman’s adaptation offers a completely original take in its exploration of a community steeped in pagan folklore.

Overman comments, “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to reimagine this hugely influential film. While the story is very different, the series explores the same themes of sacrifice, superstition and ritual that were at the core of the original film.”

Jonathan Cavendish, Co-founder at The Imaginarium adds, “Howard Overman has created a bold, shocking and unique series, pulling the themes and terrifying power of the original Wicker Man into a thrilling modern setting. We’re so excited to bring this reimagining of a classic to the screen with our friends at Urban Myth.”

Johnny Capps, Executive Producer at Urban Myth Films, expands, “Working with The Imaginarium and with Howard on this adaptation has been a fantastic collaboration. We can’t wait to share Howard’s brilliantly original and bold take on this cult classic.”

STUDIOCANAL’s EVP Global Production Ron Halpern and Executive Managing Director TV Francoise Guyonnet STUDIOCANAL conclude, “THE WICKER MAN is an iconic and influential cinematic classic in our catalogue. We are delighted the adaptation is being reimagined by Howard Overman and in partnership with our friends at Urban Myth Films and The Imaginarium. To take a catalogue film to series underlines our ambition across film, series and catalogue at STUDIOCANAL and the incredible opportunities therein.”

The Imaginarium is currently in post-production on the feature Next Goal Wins, directed by Taika Waititi and starring Michael Fassbender and Elisabeth Moss, and their latest television series The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself, based on the best-selling YA trilogy by Sally Green, will be released on Netflix in October 2022.

Urban Myth Films is currently in production on the second series of The Lazarus Project for Sky, with the third series of Overman’s War of the Worlds out on Canal+ in France and about to be released on Disney Plus in the UK. STUDIOCANAL is a shareholder in Urban Myth Films.

STUDIOCANAL produces its series directly (such as Paddington which won two Daytime Emmy Awards) and through its network of award-winning European production companies, including STUDIOCANAL Series GmbH (Shadowplay) and Lailaps Films (Shadows of the Past) in Germany, the UK’s RED Production Company (Stay Close, It’s a Sin, Years and Years) and Urban Myth Films (War of the Worlds, Extinction), Spain’s Bambú Producciones (Two Lives, Jaguar, Cable Girls) and France’s STUDIOCANAL Original (Nine Women, About Last Night, Mouche). STUDIOCANAL is also an associate of Benedict Cumberbatch’s production company Sunnymarch TV (Patrick Melrose) and Danish- based SAM Productions founded by Søren Sveistrup and Adam Price (The Chestnut Man, Ride Upon The Storm).