Alright you primitive screwheads, listen up! After two sequels, a gritty reboot, and a television series, the long anticipated fourth feature film in the EVIL DEAD saga starring Bruce Campbell is finally coming to fruition! Campbell himself revealed the news exclusively in the latest issue of Empire where he not only gives us the sequel's title but reveals that it will be written and directed by Sam Raimi's hand-picked successor, Lee Cronin.
“We’re just getting off the phone with Lee Cronin, who is writing and directing the next Evil Dead,” Campbell confirmed when asked if another film in the classic horror franchise was in the works. “It’s called EVIL DEAD NOW. Sam handpicked Lee – he did a cool movie called The Hole In The Ground. We’re going to get that sucker out as soon as practical.”
Now before you go losing your head or your hand over this news, you should know that Campbell has no plans to reprise his role as Ashley Joanna "Ash" Williams for Cronin's film. Instead, the film will center on a female protagonist.
“From this point forward, they kind of have to stand on their own. Which is fine. And liberating,” says Campbell. “You could have different heroes, different heroines in this case. This one’s gonna be a little more dynamic.” He added: “We jut want to keep the series current. And the mantra, really, is that our heroes and heroines are just regular people. That’s what we’re going to continue.”
While some fans will undoubtedly be upset that Campbell isn't reprising his iconic Evil Dead role, I'm of the mind that some fresh blood could be precisely what's needed to pull the recoil rope on a new chapter of the classic horror franchise. Imagine an actress like Samara Weaving (READY OR NOT, THE BABYSITTER) or Kaya Scodelario (CRAWL, MOON) making the Evil Dead scene. I'd be among the first in line to watch that frightfest, and knowing that Cronin is on the job has me very excited for what may come. We'll be sure to keep you updated as the EVIL DEAD NOW project develops.
More to come …