Sam Raimi has givenEvil Deadfans an update on the current status of the franchise, and the filmmaker is also still hopeful he’ll one day get to direct another sequel with Bruce Campbell as Ash. For a new fan Q&A on Reddit to promoteThe Grudge, Raimi provided many intriguing answers to the rapid-fire questions about his body of work. When asked specifically if there’d ever be anotherEvil Deadmovie with Raimi himself at the helm, Raimi had this to say about the concept.
“Bruce [Campbell], Rob [Tapert] and I are working with a young [filmmaker] who is writing a newEvil Deadstory that he will direct. As for me…. I would love to direct a newEvil Deadmovie… but I’d really like to do it with Bruce. Andhe says he’s retired the character. I hope not.”
Sam Raimi andBruce Campbellhave previously teased anotherEvil Deadmovie with a new filmmaker in charge, though it’s interesting Raimi continues to hold out hope for getting Ash back onto the big screen one day. This follows the actor’s announced retirement from playing Ash, with Campbell insisting he will never again play the role for any new movie or television projects. Although he retired from physically playing the role in live-action projects, Campbell has since voiced Ash in the video gameDead by Daylightand has also teased reprising the role in otherEvil Deadvideo games.
In the Reddit Q&A,Sam Raimiwas also asked about the 2013 reboot from director Fede Alvarez and if it would ever have its own sequel. “If Fede would write or direct it, yes, in a split second!” Raimi exclaims. This makes it clear Raimi is completely on board for a follow-up to the reboot, so as long as Alvarez is still leading the project creatively. Though it only featured Ash in a brief cameo appearance, Alvarez’sEvil Deadshines in its own way thanks to an awesome performance by Jane Levy as Mia. Alvarez himself has suggested that he’s open to doingEvil Dead 2, though preferred to focus onDon’t Breathe 2instead.
Raimi previously helmedThe Evil Deadin 1981, followed by the sequelsEvil Dead IIin 1987 andArmy of Darknessin 1992. The movies starred Bruce Campbell asAsh Williams, a man who adopts a chainsaw as a hand to become the most badass Deadite slayer of them all. Campbell would reprise the role in 2015 for the Starz television seriesAsh vs. Evil Dead, which consisted of three seasons before airing its finale in 2018. Raimi served as an executive producer on the show and directed the pilot episode.
The Raimi-produced reboot ofThe Grudgeis now playing in theaters. If we’re lucky, we just might one day see anotherEvil Deadmovie from the legendary director as well. Given how serious Campbell seems to be about his retirement as Ash, however, it’s probably best not to hold our breath. you may read more from Raimi’s Q&A with fans over atReddit.
