Christopher Lee & Sean Austin In 'The Wicker Man'

May Day, which has been written by Robin Hardy, the director of The Wicker Man, will feature Christopher Lee, who starred in the 1973 cult classic. Veteran actress Vanessa Redgrave also will star.

Hardy, who will direct the film, said that May Day was not a sequel or a prequel to The Wicker Man but it explores the same themes and will be shot almost entirely in Scotland, with some scenes shot in Texas. Filming will start next year.

The project initially went under the name of The Riding of the Laddie and Hardy has recruited Sean Astin who is to play the leading role of an American preacher.

It has been rumoured for some time that Hardy was working on a new film, but he told The Herald that he had great trouble finding money to back the script, which has attracted interest from a number of leading actors.