Barnet filmmaker Justin Hardy dies at 61 after completing Wicker Man sequel
Wrath Of The Gods, Hardy’s final film, will premiere at FrightFest in Leicester Square on 28 August
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Justin Hardy, the Barnet-based filmmaker known for his work on The Wicker Man legacy, died on 25 July after suffering a heart attack. He was 61. Hardy had just completed Wrath Of The Gods, a follow-up to his father Robin Hardy’s 1973 cult classic, which will now premiere posthumously at FrightFest in Leicester Square on 28 August.
Hardy’s family confirmed his death in a statement to the Press Association. They described him as a man of boundless creativity, devoted to his family and work. His brother Dominic, an art historian, told the Press Association that Justin was full of life until the end, energised by the upcoming premiere of his latest film.
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A career built on storytelling
Hardy studied history at Oxford University before training in film at Bournemouth and scriptwriting at the University of California, Los Angeles. His career spanned television and film, including series such as The Bill and documentaries like The Relief Of Belsen. He earned Emmy and BAFTA nominations and, in recent years, taught screenwriting at University College London.
Dominic Hardy reflected on his brother’s work, calling it profoundly humanist. He told the Press Association that Justin had a talent for bringing productions in under budget while delivering extraordinary performances. Dominic said, "I admired his work because it was always moving and deeply human."
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Closing a cinematic legacy
In 2024, Justin and Dominic Hardy released Children Of The Wicker Man, a documentary exploring their complicated relationship with their father’s iconic film. Robin Hardy, who died in 2016, had long planned a trilogy but only completed two films. After his death, Justin and Dominic decided to complete the trilogy as a way to honour his legacy.
Wrath Of The Gods, inspired by an unearthed script by Robin Hardy, stars Francis Magee from Game of Thrones and Norwegian actress Christiane Schaldemose. The film follows a woman isolated on an island, confronting dark family secrets. Dominic Hardy described it as his brother’s most personal work, calling it "a film with a capital F."
“Now you have made a film with a capital F. It is your film. It is your vision.”
Dominic Hardy, art historian and Justin’s brother
During their last meeting in London, Justin told Dominic he had found fulfilment in writing projects like Wrath Of The Gods. Dominic said, "It’s just so sad that that’s not going to happen. We’ve lost him and that larger-than-life presence."
What happens next
Wrath Of The Gods will premiere at FrightFest in Leicester Square on 28 August. The screening will proceed as planned, with the film serving as a final tribute to Hardy’s career. His family has not yet announced further plans for memorial events in Barnet or elsewhere.
Questions this report answers
+What was Justin Hardy’s final film?
Wrath Of The Gods, a sequel to his father’s cult classic The Wicker Man. It will premiere at FrightFest in Leicester Square on 28 August, following Hardy’s death on 25 July. The film stars Francis Magee and Christiane Schaldemose.
+How did Justin Hardy die?
Hardy suffered a heart attack before his death on 25 July 2026. His family confirmed the cause in a statement to the Press Association. He was 61 and had just completed his final film, Wrath Of The Gods.
+Where will Wrath Of The Gods be shown?
The film will premiere at FrightFest in Leicester Square on 28 August. The screening will proceed as planned, serving as a posthumous tribute to Hardy’s career. No further screenings in Barnet have been announced yet.
+Who is Justin Hardy survived by?
Hardy is survived by his wife Larissa and their four children: Sam, Ludo, Nico and Summer. His brother Dominic, an art historian, spoke publicly about Justin’s legacy and final film after his death.
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