The Evil Dead franchise took a wobble after the excellent Ash vs. Evil Dead was canceled in 2018, with star Bruce Campbell promptly announcing he was retiring from the role of Ash Williams. However, much like the cackling Deadites, you can’t keep a good horror franchise down. After some delays, Evil Dead Rise hits theaters very soon, and director Lee Cronin is keeping the hype fires burning by marking a very special day.
For Christians yesterday was Ash Wednesday, so what better time to pay tribute to the franchise’s indomitable chainsaw-wielding hero?
Last month we got the incredible Red Band trailer for the movie, indicating that Cronin wasn’t kidding around when he promised buckets of blood. Cronin has also promised that the plot will take place “away from the cabin in the woods and into the city,” with a story centered on estranged sisters whose long-awaited family reunion goes demonically awry when someone foolishly reads aloud from the Necronomicon.
Though the trailer teases some gory chainsaw action, it seems Bruce Campbell is sticking to his word about not returning as Ash. However, he’s an executive producer on the movie, so despite the multiple denials we’re still holding out hope that we get a super secret surprise cameo from the horror icon — perhaps as a post-credits scene?
Either way, we couldn’t be more hyped for Evil Dead Rise. Cronin looks like he’s fully grasped the combination of horror and comedy that powers this franchise and we’re hoping he goes way beyond the crazy stuff witnessed in the trailer.
Come hell or high water, we’ll be there on opening night, April 21.