The classic Evil Dead horror franchise is entering the streaming game with another feature-length sequel. The new film, titled Evil Dead Rise, is being produced by New Line Cinema and will focus on two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.
The next installment of The Evil Dead franchise is heading to HBO Max with Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell attached as executive producers. Evil Dead Rise will be a direct sequel to the original trilogy but will shift locations from a cabin in the woods to an urban city landscape.
Evil Dead Rise, which stars Alyssa Sutherland (Vikings) and Lily Sullivan (Picnic at Hanging Rock), is written and directed by Lee Cronin (The Hole in the Ground), who was reportedly hand-picked by Raimi and Campbell to helm the new film. Cronin responded to the news by saying, “The ‘Evil Dead’ movies filled my brain with terror and awe when I first saw them at 9 years old. I am excited and humbled to be resurrecting the most iconic of evil forces for both the fans and a whole new generation.”
The original 1981 film The Evil Dead was a bloody low-budget horror flick directed by Raimi and starring Campbell as the lead character Ash, a young man who, along with his friends and girlfriend, accidentally awakens a demonic force referred to as The Evil Dead while spending the night at a cabin in the woods. The original film spawned a successful franchise that has spanned 40 years, including two sequels, 1987’s Evil Dead II and 1993’s Army of Darkness, the latter of which saw Ash sent back in time to Medieval England. In 2013 the Evil Dead franchise was rebooted with a film directed by Fede Alvarez titled Evil Dead. Raimi and Campbell also produced that film, which was the first to not star Campbell as Ash. A TV spin-off called Ash vs Evil Dead premiered on Starz in 2015 and ran for three seasons until it was canceled in 2018. Campbell reprised his signature role for the show and Raimi served as a producer. The franchise has spawned numerous toys, merchandise, video games, and even a Canadian rock musical.
New Line Cinema has seen a lot of success recently in the horror genre. The studio has also produced the recent Stephen King adaptation IT and its sequel IT: Chapter 2, as well as James Wan's The Conjuring film series, which stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. It will be interesting to see the Evil Dead setting move to a city, as the original films often took advantage of the rural landscape, showing the demonic Evil Dead possess trees and wildlife to terrifying effect.
Perhaps in the new movie, this demonic entity will possess street lamps and rideshare vehicles instead. While Raimi and Campbell will not be reprising their roles for the new film, the dynamic duo is teaming up again for the Marvel Studios film Doctor Stange in the Multiverse of Madness, which is slated for release on March 25th, 2022.
Evil Dead Rise does not currently have a release date but it is set to begin production in New Zealand next month.
Source: Variety