The current cinematic equivalent of a tennis match is whether or not there is going to be a fourth film in the Evil Dead franchise. It’s pretty safe to say that this has been wondered about and very much wanted ever since the third film in the series Army of Darkness. And I’m sure over at least the last few years, whenever any chance of talking to Raimi comes around, he gets asked about an Evil Dead 4.
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As movie fans it’s hard to know just what to think when it comes to the possibility of a fourth film – do we trust Raimi when he as said numerous time before that he would like to go back to the franchise? Or do we trust the star of the first three, Bruce Campbell, when he says “no dice” (at least about him returning)?
Well speaking of the latter, adding to what Sam Raimi said last week at SXSW, Raimi more recently laughed off Campbell’s remarks and insisted that he would be back for a fourth film if it were to be made:
“He [Campbell] can dream all he wants. He’s trying to get out of getting back in shape,” he smiled. “I’m going to kick his butt in shape. I’m gonna say ‘get back in the chainsaw!’”
And when the future of the Evil Dead franchise was hinted at, Raimi had this to say:
“I hope to [return to it], yes,” Raimi admitted. “Every time I say I would like to [revisit the films], people say, ‘where the hell is it!?!’ But I’m just glad people are still interested. But yes, I would really like to do [another ‘Evil Dead' film]. I’ve just got a commitment to make ‘Spider-Man 4′ right now though.”
Raimi added his humorous thoughts about Campbell:
“He’s a really nice, but he pretends that he’s a really rough bastard,” he laughed.
It’s hard to know what to think about an Evil Dead 4 simply because it’s been so back and forth between “happening” and “not happening.” If I were to guess I would say that it will happen at some point, but something tells me it’s not going to be any time soon. Raimi is still (as he said above) tied to the Spider-Man franchise, and it really doesn’t look like Campbell is interested right now in returning to play Ash (although his last directorial effort My Name Is Bruce still suggests he’s nostalgic about it).
However, if and when they do make the film, it simply has to be with Campbell as the chainsaw-wielding Ash. His success and recognition are because of those first three movies, and for him not to return not only doesn’t make sense for him as an actor, but for the franchise in general.
Hopefully once Raimi has freed up his schedule a bit, and Campbell changes his mind (he’d be crazy not to!) this thing will get going.
Do you think Evil Dead 4 will happen any time soon (if ever)? And would you be okay with an Evil Dead movie without Campbell?
Source: MTV Movies Blog
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11 Comments
Groovy! I’ve waited this long, I can wait longer. No Bruce makes No sense. If he can play a geriatric Elvis, he can be Grandpa Ash! Come get some!
Bruce needs to get back into shape, still has the charm but needs to get back into his Ash action physique.
I did like his choice of camera angles for My Name Is Bruce.
I wonder IF this ever did happen, which ending of Army would they continue on with? Is Ash stuck in the future or blasting his way out of S Mart?
I suspect they’ll go with the ending they wanted – him in the future.
That was a good one too, with him laughing madly. It could be used to explain why he looks so much older.
Evil Dead is Raimi and Campbell. Has to be both. I do worry that they will make it eventually and it won’t be that good and we’ll all complain that they ever made it.
Still, I hope they do. Can never have enough demon-possession and mutilation!
@blipvert
I suggest they do both. First, they give us the mandatory recap of the first three films, complete with continuity errors.
Then they show the S Mart ending, but it turns out to be a dream that Ash was having during his six hundred year nap.
And Steven makes a good point, the sleep can be a very good excuse for why Campbell looks so much older.
He does have a lot of big grey hair by the end.
I don’t care whether or not Campbell’s in shape. He just better be in the movie, or there’s really no point in making it.
SAM RAIMI Please do ‘Evil Dead 4 ” B-4 you do SpiderMan 4… Bruce Cambell is a Great Actor… But like you & me Sam… he is getting old… We dont need an old man Killing all of the demons… hehehe… Bruce is 1 cool actor… I met him 1 time in Detroit at a Fangoria thing… It was in Dearborn Mich. Just outside of Detroit…
I met him and he really is a nice person… Had my pic made with him… Please Do “Evil Dead 4″ B-4 SpiderMan 4… Please ??? Ash is # 1 in my book… The Tall Man is # 2… hehehe…
I can understand why Sam Raimi would rather work on new projects, and not repeat himself. After all, the evil dead series is near perfect as is and there’s the danger of messing around too much with it… BUT… take a chance! For the fans! BUT… then again, make a bad evil dead and you lose the fans. It’s a real pickle. Perhaps he could produce and hand the reigns over to another young director with big ideas, BUT… then we wouldn’t have the Raimi Camera shots/sound and style. ARGGGG!!!! All I know is after finishing the video games Hail to the King, A fistful of Boomstick and Re-Generation, I NEED MORE EVIL DEAD!!!! MORE ASH!!! I need a drink.
If the worst came to the worst, Raimi could always use Johhny Knoxville (Jackass) as Ash .. they’re pretty similar looking and Knoxville does his own stunts like Campbell does/did.
I reckon Campbell will get his head together and do it though. Old friends and all that.
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