The Evil Dead franchise has already died and been resurrected more times than the series’ Deadites, and now the franchise looks like it’s gearing up for yet another return.
In a new interview with Bloody Disgusting, series creator Sam Raimi revealed that he is working on making a new Evil Dead film, and is already beginning to workshop a few ideas. “I’d love to make another one. I don’t think TV is in its future but we’re talking about – Bruce[Campbell], (producer) Rob [Tapert] and myself – one or two different ways to go for the next movie,” Raimi said. “We’d like to make another Evil Dead feature and in fact, we’re working on some ideas right now.”
You may recall that Bruce Campbell officially retired from playing Ash Williams last year following the cancellation of Ash vs. Evil Dead, but it turns out there’s a chance Campbell may yet return for another film. And even if he doesn’t, Raimi has a backup plan. “I would be thrilled if Bruce Campbell changed his mind about retirement, would come back for the original Evil Dead line,” Raimi said. “But if not, I’m very happy to work with, if Fede [Álvarez] would come back and make the sequel… but he’s such a big shot now. He’s so successful, an artist in demand, that I don’t think he’d want to do that.”
Raimi is, of course, referring to making a sequel to Alvarez’s 2013 reboot Evil Dead if Williams doesn’t want to continue the original series of films. But what if neither Campbell nor Alvarez wants to return? Well, Raimi has a plan for that scenario, too. “There’s also a third possibility we’re talking about,” Raimi revealed, without going into detail. “So I think you may see some action on the Evil Dead movie in the next six months.”
What a rollercoaster. From last year’s cancellation of the TV series and Campbell’s retirement to getting confirmation of a new movie — possibly with Ash — in the next six months?! If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Evil Dead it’s that this franchise does not like to stay dead.
