In their upcoming film "Wicker," directors Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer present a unique romantic narrative about a woman who falls in love with a man made entirely of woven wicker. The project, adapted from Ursula Wills-Jones’ short story “The Wicker Husband,” required extensive development to bring its unusual central character to life.
Before casting Olivia Colman, who stars as the Fisherwoman, and securing financing, the filmmakers enlisted the expertise of Weta Workshop, the renowned New Zealand studio known for its work on films like "The Lord of the Rings" and "Avatar." Over 18 months, Weta’s design team collaborated with weavers and textile artists to create a wearable suit that balanced aesthetic appeal with actor Alexander Skarsgard’s comfort. The result was a suit combining 3-D printed components with natural materials, featuring a face composed of ten prosthetic pieces that move with Skarsgard’s expressions.
The crafting of the Wicker Man involved meticulous trials to ensure the character appeared both attractive and believable, crucial for the film’s success given that the wicker figure serves as the romantic lead rather than a villain or monster. The filmmakers emphasized that minor adjustments in the weave design could have drastically altered the character’s appearance, potentially making him look either unnervingly odd or aged. Ultimately, the wicker figure emerged as a striking and sensual presence, intentionally designed as a perfect companion for Colman’s outcast character, who commissions the basket maker (played by Peter Dinklage) to create her an unconventional husband.
Set in a nondescript 17th-century village, the story explores themes of societal conformity and personal desire as the arrival of the wicker husband disrupts the townspeople’s usual assumptions about relationships and social order. The Fisherwoman, marginalized for her status and occupation, finds a form of love that challenges the community’s norms and provokes reflection among its members.
Securing funding for the film was challenging amid the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing industry strikes, with many considering the concept risky. However, the quality of the suit and script convinced producer Ryan Heller and his company, Tojo Studios, to provide half of the estimated $10 million budget, with the remainder financed by Tango. Heller expressed relief when seeing Skarsgard in costume during filming, noting that the practical effects exceeded expectations and minimized the need for costly post-production visual effects.
Upon the release of the film’s trailer in July, the response was unexpectedly enthusiastic. The unique premise sparked widespread attention on platforms like BookTok, generating memes and social media buzz including a playful endorsement from IKEA. Although some viewers expressed concern about the practicality of being with a wicker partner, the filmmakers reassured audiences that the character’s craftsmanship would prevent issues such as splinters.
"Wicker" thus represents both a technical achievement in creature design and a thought-provoking examination of love and societal constraints, supported by a cast and crew dedicated to bringing this unusual vision to the screen.