Evil Dead Rise has secured itself a place in the history of the Evil Dead franchise, smashing box office predictions and landing some of the best reviews of the series to date. Directed by Lee Cronin, the film takes the action from the woods to the city, following two sisters who reunite after years of estrangement but find themselves battling against flesh-possessing demons. In a recent interview with SlashFilm, Cronin discussed his ideas for the future of the franchise, including potential prequels and storylines set in the past, while also showcasing his changes to the storyline and direction of the franchise.
Cronin explained that he was driven by the belief that the force of the Evil Dead cannot be destroyed, and there are still many paths to explore. He has many other potential movies in mind, including a prequel set in the past where a priest fights a hundred Deadites in a John Wick-style action sequence. Cronin stated that he aimed to move the dial and crack open the world of Evil Dead in a new way, while still respecting the franchise's legacy.
"For me, actually what it was driven by is the idea that the force can't really be destroyed. So, even though there's someone adjacent to all the madness that has happened, that force can prevail and can kind of continue onwards. So, that's one pathway. There's also, there's a second storyline, a hundred years in the past that's shared in this. And that's also a storyline I've had boiling for what goes on behind that vinyl. You could go back in time. Then I've got one Priest versus a hundred Deadites. 'John Wick Evil Dead.' The challenge that was set for me was to move the dial with this world, to crack the world open in a different way. I hope I've been successful in doing that. I've actually left a few doors open to get inside that world.”
There is that wraparound and that wraparound is always there. I wanted to show the fans that I understand the world, I understand where it's been, but also here's the change, here's the needle drop, here's where we're going to go. We're going to go somewhere else. Also there's the 10 minutes later story for those that ... the lucky ones that maybe just about make it out alive. There's that place also. And then equally, what about when the authorities show up at this building and find the carnage that's there? And if you remember, there's still some seriously hardcore remnants left in that building that could have an impact on a whole new set of unsuspecting factors."
How Jim Carrey's Performance in The Mask Inspired Alyssa Sutherland's Role in Evil Dead Rise
Evil Dead Rise has taken a bold step by moving the setting of the franchise from the traditional cabin in the woods to a high-rise apartment block. This change has been met with some skepticism from fans of the series, but the movie has ultimately received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. The decision to change the setting has allowed the franchise to reinvent itself and stay fresh while still delivering the trademark unrelenting terror and brutal gore.
One of the standout elements of the film is the performance of Alyssa Sutherland, who plays the character of Ellie. Sutherland's preparation for the role was extensive and involved working with the stunt team to create a unique Deadite possession movement. Her performance was influenced by Jim Carrey's performance in The Mask, which she found to be a surprising source of inspiration. She was drawn to the joy and rage of Carrey's character and wanted to incorporate those elements into her own portrayal of Ellie.
“I did a lot of prep and worked hard on creating a deadite movement for Ellie, both on my own in my hotel room and with the stunt team. I also watched a lot of films as reference points. Something kept telling me to watch The Mask, and I took inspiration from that of all places! I liked the joy of Jim Carrey’s character and wanted to incorporate that into Ellie as well as a rageful side,” Sutherland recently told Cherry Picks.
Evil Dead Rise premiered in theaters on April 21.