Way back in 2003, the unexpected success ofFreddy vs. Jason, which earned $114.9 million worldwide from a $30 million budget, lead to a number of different projects being bandied about, one of which wasFreddy vs. Jason vs. Ash. This would have broughtBruce Campbell’sAsh Williamsinto the fold. There were initial discussions to bring bothBruce CampbellandSam Raimito the table for this crossover sequel, but it never came to pass. Today we have word fromBruce Campbellhimself about why the project didn’t come together.
New Line executiveJeff Katzrevealed in a 2004 interview that he had written a treatment forFreddy vs. Jason vs. Ash, but nothing moved forward on the project. There had also been rumors thatHalloweenslasher Michael Myers may be included in the follow-up as well. During a recentRedditAMA session,Bruce Campbellwas asked about why this project didn’t happen. Here’s what he had to say below.
“I’ll be honest with you. I’m not real interested in cross overs. One of the main reasons whyAsh vs. Jason vs. Freddydid not come to pass is because we couldn’t control any other character other than Ash. That felt like a creatively bankrupt way to go. Not to mention, you’re splitting the proceeds three ways with partners you might not want.”
There was talk thatFreddy vs. Jason 2may happen back in 2007, but that’s right when the writer’s strike got started, and the project never moved forward after the strike was resolved.Sam RaimiandBruce Campbellended up producing the long-awaitedEvil Deadremake, which was directed byFede Alvarezand released back in 2013. The idea of Ash Williams squaring off against other iconic characters has endured to this day, though.
Shortly after the release ofBatman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justicethis spring,Bruce Campbellrevealed a poster for hisAsh vs. Batman vs. Supermanpitch. Last year, the actor returned as Ash Williams for the beloved Starz seriesAsh vs. Evil Dead, which recently started its second season. We’ll never know whatFreddy vs. Jason vs. Ashmay have looked like on the big screen, but there was a comic book that told this unique story. Perhaps one day this comic book could be adapted to bring all these icons to the big screen.
