New Old Movie: The Wicker Man

Great title for this! Kudos to me!

You know how much I hate it when movie news is announced and then, like, two years later it seems that everyone begins posting it. Yes, Nicolas Cage will star in a remake of The Wicker Man. This was reported a long time ago, but I guess he finally officially signed on. It was reported originally that Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder were in negotiations as well, but neither name has surfaced with this latest info. My guess was that Angelina Jolie would have been playing the Britt Elkland role and Winona would have been the missing woman.

The thing that gets me excited for this remake is that Neil LaBute is writing and directing it. LaBute's previous credits include In the Company of Men, Your Friends and Neighbors, Nurse Betty and The Shape of Things. I think he's perfect for it. He has that dark and cynical voice. This remake seems to be very timely considering the subject matter could offer a great parable for our current world.

The Wicker Man is about an investigator who comes to a small island community in search of a missing girl. What he finds is some rather odd behavior, nude dancing and singing by a very dubbed Sweedish woman and decapitated animal suits. Or as we'll just call it: Pagan rituals. Its an interesting film, downright bizarre at times. If they keep the ending and the Britt-nude-singing scene, this remake should be worthwhile. I think Jolie would be perfect in that role. She loves this weird stuff.