The Wicker Man sequel director Justin Hardy – son of the original Wicker Man director Robin – has died weeks before the film’s premiere.

The BBC reports that the filmmaker and writer died aged 61 due to a heart attack on Friday. Hardy’s family said they were “devastated” to share the news in a statement, describing him as “so full of life right to the end, and incredibly energised to be working towards premiering his latest film this month.

“We are all so proud of him and heartbroken he won’t be with us at his premiere,” the statement continues. “He was a man of family, of boundless creativity and of devotion for everyone he held dear.”

Hardy’s Wrath Of The Gods – the second sequel to The Wicker Man – is scheduled to premiere at horror film festival FrightFest on 28 August in London. He also directed the first sequel, 2011’s The Wicker Tree. See tributes to Hardy down below:

We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Justin Hardy whose latest film, Wrath of the Gods is playing at Tubi FrightFest this August. Justin is best known for his documentary celebrating the legacy of his father Robin Hardy’s iconic work. Our heartfelt condolences to his… pic.twitter.com/1XXmARxTda

— FrightFest (@FrightFest) August 3, 2026

We’re shocked and saddened by news of the unexpected passing of Justin Hardy at the age of 61. Director of A FEAST AT MIDNIGHT as well as co-director of CHILDREN OF THE WICKER MAN and co-author of the book of the same name, pic.twitter.com/6OXixyzAqq

— Severin Films (@SeverinFilms) August 2, 2026

When I was 17 I had my first job as an extra on City of Vice, directed by Justin. Lovely bloke. It was only years later I learnt he was son of Robin Hardy when I was watching a Wicker Man documentary. Rest in Power Justin. https://t.co/uUaZu77lN4

— Daniel Cause (@Daniel_Cause) August 3, 2026

This morning we pay #tribute to co-author of Children of The Wicker Man, Justin Hardy, who sadly passed away on Friday. A “larger-than-life presence”, son of iconic director Robin Hardy and a filmmaker in his own right. Details here 👇https://t.co/5aAaNzqLYU

— The History Press (@TheHistoryPress) August 3, 2026

Born in London on October 30, 1964, Hardy has primarily directed historical films and documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4 and CNN. With nearly 50 credits, Hardy was best known for the Emmy-nominated The Last Dragon, the Bafta-nominated The Relief of Belsen, along with other films such as City of Vice and Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen.

Alongside the Wicker Man sequels, Hardy and half-brother Dominic created the documentary Children of the Wicker Man. The film tracks the brothers’ journey as they discover their father’s lost archive, which contained the concept behind Wrath Of The Gods.

Wrath Of The Gods has been dedicated to Justin’s mother Caroline, whom the archive revealed to be an uncredited executive producer on The Wicker Man. She passed away aged 51 in 1984.