The classicEvil Deadhorror franchise is entering the streaming game with another feature-length sequel. The new film, titledEvil 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 ofThe Evil Deadfranchise is heading to HBO Max withSam Raimi and Bruce Campbellattached as executive producers.Evil Dead Risewill be a direct sequel to the original trilogy but will shift locations from a cabin in the woods to an urban city landscape.
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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 filmThe Evil Deadwas 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’sEvil Dead IIand 1993’sArmy of Darkness,the latter of which saw Ash sent back in time to Medieval England. In 2013theEvil Deadfranchise was rebootedwith a film directed by Fede Alvarez titledEvil Dead. Raimi and Campbell also produced that film, which was the first to not star Campbell as Ash. A TV spin-off calledAsh vs Evil Deadpremiered 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 adaptationITand its sequelIT: Chapter 2,as well as James Wan’sThe Conjuringfilm 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 filmDoctor Stange in the Multiverse of Madness,which is slated for release on March 25th, 2022.
Evil Dead Risedoes not currently have a release date but it is set to begin production in New Zealand next month.
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