The Wicker Man Woodward's character in "The Wicker Man", the two Americans are virgins who encounter a pagan laird and his followers. The film received mixed reviews. Those involved in the production of the film have given conflicting statements regarding the identity of Christopher Lee's character, referred to only as Old Gentleman in the credits. Writer–director Robin Hardy has stated that the ambiguity was intentional. Fans would immediately recognise Lee's character as Lord Summerisle. Lee himself has contradicted this, stating that the two are not meant to be the same character, and that "The Wicker Tree" is not a sequel in any way.
The Wicker Man (2006 film) the original film's director Robin Hardy and star Christopher Lee were preparing a semi-remake of their 1973 film, titled "The Riding of the Laddie", with Vanessa Redgrave and Lee's "Lord of the Rings" co-star Sean Astin attached. Hardy stated Lee would not play the villain as he did in the original "Wicker Man", but instead a door-to-door born again Christian preacher who comes to Scotland along with his wife (Redgrave) as they are introduced to the neo-pagan cult. Hardy hoped for filming to begin in Glasgow, Scotland in 2003, but "The Riding of the Laddie" would not materialize until years