{"id":2075953,"date":"2026-08-03T17:39:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T14:39:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075953"},"modified":"2026-08-03T17:39:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T14:39:57","slug":"wicker-man-sequel-director-justin-hardy-dies-weeks-before-premiere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075953","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Wicker Man\u2019 sequel director Justin Hardy dies weeks before premiere"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Justin-Hardy-2026.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">\u2018Wicker Man\u2019 sequel director Justin Hardy dies weeks before premiere<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The filmmaker and writer died on Friday (July 31) aged 61<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Alex Rigotti<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-03T18:39:57+01:00\">3rd August 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Justin-Hardy-2026-696x442.jpg\" alt title=\"The Wicker Man 50th anniversary celebration\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Justin Hardy (Photo by Ian West\/PA Images via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The\u00a0<em>Wicker Man\u00a0<\/em>sequel director Justin Hardy \u2013 son of the original <em>Wicker Man <\/em>director Robin \u2013 has died weeks before the film\u2019s premiere.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<em>BBC\u00a0<\/em>reports that the filmmaker and writer died aged 61 due to a heart attack on Friday. Hardy\u2019s family said they were \u201cdevastated\u201d to share the news in a statement, describing him as \u201cso full of life right to the end, and incredibly energised to be working towards premiering his latest film this month.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are all so proud of him and heartbroken he won\u2019t be with us at his premiere,\u201d the statement continues. \u201cHe was a man of family, of boundless creativity and of devotion for everyone he held dear.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hardy\u2019s\u00a0<em>Wrath Of The Gods\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 the second sequel to\u00a0<em>The Wicker Man\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 is scheduled to premiere at horror film festival FrightFest on 28 August in London. He also directed the first sequel, 2011\u2019s\u00a0<em>The Wicker Tree<\/em>. See tributes to Hardy down below:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We&#8217;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&#8217;s iconic work. Our heartfelt condolences to his\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/1XXmARxTda<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 FrightFest (@FrightFest) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We\u2019re  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<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Severin Films (@SeverinFilms) August 2, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">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<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Daniel Cause (@Daniel_Cause) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This morning we pay #tribute to co-author of Children of The Wicker Man, Justin Hardy, who sadly passed away on Friday. A &#8220;larger-than-life presence&#8221;, son of iconic director Robin Hardy and a filmmaker in his own right. Details here \ud83d\udc47https:\/\/t.co\/5aAaNzqLYU<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The History Press (@TheHistoryPress) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>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\u00a0<em>The Last Dragon<\/em>, the Bafta-nominated <em>The Relief of Belsen, <\/em>along with other films such as\u00a0<em>City of Vice\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0<em>Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Alongside the\u00a0<em>Wicker Man\u00a0<\/em>sequels, Hardy and half-brother Dominic created the documentary <em>Children of the Wicker Man.\u00a0<\/em>The film tracks the brothers\u2019 journey as they discover their father\u2019s lost archive, which contained the concept behind\u00a0<em>Wrath Of The Gods<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Wrath Of The Gods\u00a0<\/em>has been dedicated to Justin\u2019s mother Caroline, whom the archive revealed to be an uncredited executive producer on <em>The Wicker Man<\/em>. 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career<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/modest_mouse_live-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/modest_mouse_live-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Modest Mouse guitarist Simon O\u2019Connor will not join upcoming tour following inappropriate messages allegations<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The\u00a0<em>Wicker Man\u00a0<\/em>sequel director Justin Hardy \u2013 son of the original <em>Wicker Man <\/em>director Robin \u2013 has died weeks before the film\u2019s premiere.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<em>BBC\u00a0<\/em>reports that the filmmaker and writer died aged 61 due to a heart attack on Friday. Hardy\u2019s family said they were \u201cdevastated\u201d to share the news in a statement, describing him as \u201cso full of life right to the end, and incredibly energised to be working towards premiering his latest film this month.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are all so proud of him and heartbroken he won\u2019t be with us at his premiere,\u201d the statement continues. \u201cHe was a man of family, of boundless creativity and of devotion for everyone he held dear.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hardy\u2019s\u00a0<em>Wrath Of The Gods\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 the second sequel to\u00a0<em>The Wicker Man\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 is scheduled to premiere at horror film festival FrightFest on 28 August in London. He also directed the first sequel, 2011\u2019s\u00a0<em>The Wicker Tree<\/em>. See tributes to Hardy down below:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We&#8217;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&#8217;s iconic work. Our heartfelt condolences to his\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/1XXmARxTda<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 FrightFest (@FrightFest) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We\u2019re  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<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Severin Films (@SeverinFilms) August 2, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">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<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Daniel Cause (@Daniel_Cause) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This morning we pay #tribute to co-author of Children of The Wicker Man, Justin Hardy, who sadly passed away on Friday. A &#8220;larger-than-life presence&#8221;, son of iconic director Robin Hardy and a filmmaker in his own right. Details here \ud83d\udc47https:\/\/t.co\/5aAaNzqLYU<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The History Press (@TheHistoryPress) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>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\u00a0<em>The Last Dragon<\/em>, the Bafta-nominated <em>The Relief of Belsen, <\/em>along with other films such as\u00a0<em>City of Vice\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0<em>Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Alongside the\u00a0<em>Wicker Man\u00a0<\/em>sequels, Hardy and half-brother Dominic created the documentary <em>Children of the Wicker Man.\u00a0<\/em>The film tracks the brothers\u2019 journey as they discover their father\u2019s lost archive, which contained the concept behind\u00a0<em>Wrath Of The Gods<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Wrath Of The Gods\u00a0<\/em>has been dedicated to Justin\u2019s mother Caroline, whom the archive revealed to be an uncredited executive producer on <em>The Wicker Man<\/em>. She passed away aged 51 in 1984.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/wicker-man-sequel-director-justin-hardy-dies-weeks-before-premiere-3960537&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Justin-Hardy-2026.jpg&#8221;] News \u2018Wicker Man\u2019 sequel director Justin Hardy dies weeks before premiere The filmmaker and writer died on Friday (July 31) aged 61 By Alex Rigotti 3rd August 2026 Justin Hardy (Photo by Ian West\/PA Images via Getty Images) The\u00a0Wicker Man\u00a0sequel director Justin Hardy \u2013 son of the original Wicker Man director Robin [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2075953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2075953"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075953\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2075953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2075953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2075953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}