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Updates on the Evil Dead Franchise from Sam Raimi

by Alex Billington
March 15, 2009
Source: IGN

With Sam Raimi's throwback to classic horror Drag Me to Hell hitting theaters this May, fans have been getting more and more anxious to see the return of the Evil Dead franchise. At Comic-Con last year, Raimi revealed that he would love to make another Evil Dead; later in the year, he talked about remaking the original as well. IGN caught up with Raimi down at SXSW, where he was showing an early cut of Drag Me to Hell, and asked him about updates on the franchise, including a remake and a sequel. He doesn't promise anything too soon, but does give us some hope, especially on the side of the remake more than anything.

"I have talked with my partners about having a young director come in and remake Evil Dead," Raimi revealed to IGN. "That film was made in 16mm on a shoestring budget and blown up to 35mm. The visual effects are crumby, it was done in mono, not even stereo, let alone 5.1. What you could do with it now would be so much better. I think if you had a new director using the full power of 35mm and 5.1 sound, you could really make a pretty socko presentation. It was always meant for the big screen, but never really seen on the big screen."

That's actually good news, especially since I wouldn't mind seeing a completely rebooted Evil Dead remake. I hate to use that term "reboot", but it really could be fun. Just look at how minimal updates made a big difference between Evil Dead and Evil Dead II. As Raimi says, just imagine what they could do if it were done today. As for Evil Dead 4, don't exactly get your hopes up just yet. "Like any movie it's hard to say if you want to do it or if you don't want to do it until there is a script to talk about," he continued. "So one day I hope to have the time to write a script..." Take your time Sam, we'll still be here whenever you're ready.

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

http://google.com Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.

I'm a huge fan of the ED-series, but still I somehow think that they should let it be. As much as I would love to see a reboot of the original or a totally new one, I think it's just better to not to do it. If they end up doing it, I'll be the first in line to see it. I'm also sure I would love it, whatever it might be at the end. Kinda mixed feelings about this one.
Smiffy1

I'd love to see an Evil Dead 4 but a reboot of 1 I'm not so excited about. 1 is a genuine classic and despite it's 16mm film, weak effects, stereo sound I love it.
Fuelbot

Now this is just me, but wouldn't it make sense to remake something people didn't particularly like?Something that had potential that was squandered and wasted, or just not explored? Crummy effects thirty years ago isn't a good enough reason for a remake. There's a reason it's a "classic."
dustyman

Imagine someone not Bruce Campbell playing Ash.
http://www.youtube.com/nickgligor Nick Gligor

I liked the first remake of Evil Dead a lot better when it was called Evil Dead 2. And that was done BY Raimi WITH Campbell and it DIDN'T suck. So please... don't rape a classic.
Jamie

I agree with #2. If Raimi was to direct Evil Dead 4 with Bruce Campbell I would love that. No one can replace Bruce The Man Campbell. Ok sure the first Evil Dead is dated badly, but Evil Dead 2 and Army Of Darkness still kick ass. I am sick and tired of fucking remakes. Next thing they will be remaking will be Star Wars with Leonardo Dicaprio as Luke Skywalker and Paris Hilton as Princess Leia. Fuck Hollywood and Fuck Raimi if he decides to remake it instead of continuing it. Hail to the king baby!
http://www.websbestcomics.com Scott

Sequel, no reboot please. For the love of god, Hollywood, stop this madness!
L

The poor quality is part of it charm and campiness. To increase the quality will just throw the new one in the bargain bin instantly and will be swept up in the sea of garbage horror movies, never to be revisited again. (i.e. Dawn of the Dead remake)
SamIam

NOT GUNNA WATCH AN EVIL DEAD MOVIE WITHOUT BRUCE CAMPBELL AS ASH!!!!!! Howerver....if Raimi added "stuff" to Army of Darkness, "cleaned up scenes" ect, made a forth film easier accessable, I'd watch that. Both. Our beloved Bruce might be older and heavier, but we still love him, and not some tool that will play Ash. As no#7 said: "Sequel, no reboot please. For the love of god, Hollywood, stop this madness!"
thejoker

I totally LOVE Army of Darkness, hope they make the sequel.
Mathieu

Please Sam, see sense. Several generations have come to love Evil Dead exactly as it is, so it doesn't need to be reintroduced to anybody. Part of the reason people love it is because of it's ramshackle charm - effects aren't everything. But the main reason people love it is obvious. It's Bruce Campbell, his presence and his personality. With someone else in the lead, it just isn't worth bothering with. Sequel? Hell yes! Remake? Hell no!
Voice of Reason

Why doesnt the tool-bag re-make Spiderman 3 instead?
Fisherr

That i would kill to see that, the trilogy was awesome and i would love to see a remake or a sequel to this movie.
JimD

Oh my God this week I am having a Raimiorgasm.
avoidz

@Voice of Reason - Nice one! Raimi is sounding like George Lucas in his trashing of his earlier classic work. Fans who love the Evil Dead movies don't complain the effects aren't CGI, and who gives a fuck if the sound isn't 5.1 or whatever?
woop

No remake please. It doesn't make any sense. A fourth film would be absolutely fantastic, and a fifth, and a sixth and so on, as long as Bruce is in it, it will be a great film, bottom line.
Syphous

There is no Evil Dead without Bruce Campbell. Sequel!
Squiggly

I could care less about the Evil Dead flicks, just as long as he makes more bad-ass movies for Bruce Campbell to be in.
petersaturday

no REMAKE for the luv of god give us EVIL DEAD 4 with Bruce!!!!!