Last year, Grindhouse Releasing brought Sam Raimi's horror classic THE EVIL DEAD back to theatres with a new 4K transfer that featured a "reimagined score" by original composer Joseph LoDuca. Now the company has informed our friends over at Bloody-Disgusting that
We're now releasing the original version to drive-ins – scanned from the 16mm camera negative in 2K with Joe's original score and soundtrack. If exhibitors want to show the 4K DCP of 'Evil Dead Reimagined', we can supply it, so it depends on the individual drive-ins."
This year's first drive-in screening of THE EVIL DEAD will take place this Saturday, June 13th, at Pride's Corner Drive-In in Westbrook, Maine.
More drive-in screenings have been booked at other locations. Grindhouse Releasing mentioned that one of the venues has opted to show the "Reimagined" version, while another will be showing the film in 35mm – but the locations where those screenings will be taking place were not revealed.
THE EVIL DEAD is one of my all-time favorites and I love watching movies at the drive-in, so this is a perfect pairing of film and venue as far as I'm concerned.
While the original film makes its way back to drive-in screens, Raimi has hand-picked THE HOLE IN THE GROUND's Lee Cronin to write and direct the next installment in the franchise, which will be titled EVIL DEAD NOW. Like Fede Alvarez's 2013 version of EVIL DEAD, this one will not feature series hero Ash, since Bruce Campbell has retired from playing the role.