The Wicker Man (novel) for the film, but were cut to reduce running time and have not been seen since the loss of the film negative. For example, the character of Lord Summerisle's gillie is restored, and the reader learns of Howie's interest in bird-watching. The novelization reveals that Sergeant Neil Howie had originally attempted to become a priest, but that he was daunted by the prospect of preaching the minority faith of Episcopalianism in the staunchly Presbyterian Scottish Highlands. Howie's relationship with his fiancée, Mary Bannock, is explored in greater detail. Allan Brown writes that Howie's arguments with Lord Summerisle have more impact
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