Back in November, executive producer Bruce Campbell confirmed that he and his fellow Evil Dead rights holders Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert have seen a “rough cut” of writer/director Lee Cronin’s new addition to the franchise, the feature film Evil Dead Rise, and described the movie as being dark, serious, and excruciating. But Campbell did specify that it was a rough cut, meaning Cronin still had more work to do in the editing room – and now Cronin has taken to Twitter to show that he is still cutting away at this thing.
Cronin made his feature directorial debut with 2019’s The Hole in the Ground (watch it HERE) was chosen to write and direct Evil Dead Rise by franchise creator Sam Raimi. Raimi serves as an executive producer on the film alongside Campbell. Although filming took place in New Zealand, the story is set in Los Angeles. The synopsis:
A road-weary Beth pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A apartment. The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons, and thrusting Beth into a primal battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable.
Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland star as the estranged sisters at the heart of the story. Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, and Nell Fisher play Ellie’s three kids. Mia Challis is playing Jessica, “an 18 year old girl, who is obsessed with fashion and Instagram. Jessica loves to be the center of attention, although she is smarter than she lets on”.
Campbell does not appear in the movie, as he has formally retired from playing the role of franchise hero Ash.
A collaboration between Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, and Ghost House Pictures, Evil Dead Rise was produced by Robert Tapert. Romel Adam, John Keville, and Macdara Kelleher are also executive producers.
Evil Dead Rise will be released through the HBO Max streaming service, but a release date has not yet been announced.