This April will see the Evil Dead rise again in a brand new setting, with a new director and all new cast. Evil Dead Rise will pull a Scream VI and shift the location of the infamous Book of the Dead and its Deadite inhabitants to a block of flats rather than the cabin in the woods. However, producer Sam Raimi has given hope to fans who are still holding on the possibility of seeing franchise legend Bruce Campbell back as Ash Williams just one more time.
Although Campbell has played down the possibility that he will ever be back as Ash in a live action setting, in a new interview with Empire Magazine, Evil Dead creator Sam Raimi discussed the 2013 reboot of the franchise and how the door is always open for a return of the old guard. He said:
“That character, Mia, was great, so I was very interested. We had been talking about an ‘Evil Dead IV’ for the other branch of that universe, and we were worried a little bit about a collision. Ash Vs Evil Dead is what that morphed into. But I always thought there was room for both. I still think there’s room for all sorts of Evil Dead movies. I don’t think they cancel each other out. … I love working with Bruce and Rob. I love it as a producer because they’re really good partners, but I also like being supported by them as the director. So I hope that is on the cards eventually.”
Bruce Campbell Has Suggested He Will Only Return In Animated Form.
While fans still hope to see Bruce Campbell wielding a chainsaw and shotgun again, they may have to settle for a slightly different take on the character with a new animated series looking likely to be the next, and only kind of outing for Campbell in his iconic role. Recently the star discussed the progress that has been made on the rumored new series that would continue Ash Williams’ story. He said:
“All I can say is we’re actively pursuing it. Sam’s a busy guy. He had a big hit movie, so he’s got a lot on his plate, but he and his brother are actively shaping out the world. It’s one thing to get an animator and say, ‘Hey, animate this!’ You’ve got to know what you’re going to animate. I look forward to it, because my voice hasn’t aged as much as I have.”
Campbell joins Raimi as producer on Evil Dead Rise, something that he feels gives him much more of a say in the franchise than just being an actor. He added:
"It’s what makes the wheels turn sometimes. As an actor, you don’t have control over stuff. As a producer, you have control, so I produce as much stuff as I can get my hands on, just to be involved. It allows you to do your own thing. In a creative industry, I don’t really want to be told what to do by pretty much anybody, especially if you’ve been in it for a while.”
Evil Dead Rise is released in cinemas on April 21, 2023.