Is that good news? Is it bad news? I don't know, but it's hard not to get excited about the prospect of Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell teaming up to once again give us an all new entry into the Evil Dead Universe. Can Ash fighting Deadites ever really be a bad thing?
Probably not.
From the Press Release:
Starz announced today the greenlight of the network’s next original series, the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead. The project reteams the original filmmakers, director Sam Raimi, with longtime producing partner Rob Tapert and star Bruce Campbell.
The STARZ Original series officially titled “Ash Vs. Evil Dead” will be 10 half-hour episodes. Bruce Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip.
“Starz first worked with Sam and Rob on ‘Spartacus,’ and we are thrilled to be back in business with them,” said Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Starz. “With Sam writing and directing and Bruce Campbell returning to the screen, we are certain the show will give Evil Dead fans around the world the fix they’ve been craving.”
“Evil Dead has always been a blast. Bruce, Rob, and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the next chapter in Ash’s lame, but heroic saga. With his chainsaw arm and his ‘boomstick,’ Ash is back to kick some monster butt. And brother, this time there’s a truckload of it,” said Sam Raimi.
"I'm really excited to bring this series to the Evil Dead fans worldwide - it's going to be everything they have been clamoring for: serious deadite ass-kicking and plenty of outrageous humor,” said Bruce Campbell.
“STARZ has always been a great creative partner and we are excited to be working with them on this project,” said Robert Tapert.
Raimi will direct the first episode. “Ash Vs. Evil Dead” was written by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi (Darkman, Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell) and Tom Spezialy (“Chuck,” “Reaper,” “Desperate Housewives”). Sam Raimi will also serve as executive producer, along with Rob Tapert (Evil Dead, “Spartacus,” Xena: Warrior Princess”) and Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”). Ivan Raimi will Co-Executive Produce and Aaron Lam (“Spartacus”) will serve as producer.
The original Evil Dead film followed Ash and his friends who travel to a cabin in the woods, where they unknowingly release demons intent on possessing the living. The film became an international success and is critically lauded to this day as one of the best horror movies of all time. It also spawned a media franchise, including two sequels, as well as video games and comic books and a recent reboot that grossed $97 million worldwide.
“Ash Vs. Evil Dead” project was packaged by CAA and Craig Jacobson at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush & Kaller. Marta Fernandez will serve as the executive in charge at STARZ.
The series will air on STARZ in 2015.
Starz will retain all domestic and international multiplatform rights including television, home entertainment, and digital.
So, it's going to be 10 half-hour episodes? That's interesting. Since it's no doubt going to be heavily steeped in the humorous side of things, we're guessing that it will play much like Showtime's House of Lies, which does a great job of mixing liberal amounts of humor with serious drama, utilizing the half-hour format which is usually reserved for comedies alone.
Though with a new Deadite plague looming, and Ash being in his mid-50's, we hope that he has some help fighting off the evil dead, maybe in the form of an apprentice... like Mia!
Sure, Jane Levy had a nightmare of a time shooting the Evil Dead remake, going so far as to call it "The worst time of my life," but hey, actresses are supposed to suffer for their art, right? Buck Up, Jane, because we'd really like to see more of Mia's Demon-fighting adventures, especially if she's teamed up with Ash... and it's always about what we want.
Will the 2013 remake fit into the universe of the show at all, and if so, how much? What will the story be about? How gory will it be? Should we be excited? Nervous?
We certainly have a lot of questions regarding this massive Horror project, but for now, we'll just be happy that at long last we're getting Evil Dead 4... because that's what this is. A five hour-long Evil Dead movie.
Yeah, we're excited.
I really hope to see Sam the half deadite from the video game Evil Dead: Regeneration, cause their partnership kicked ass and was hilarious.
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