Bruce Campbell returning to The Evil Dead franchise seemed like an running joke that would never become a reality, but a press release today from the STARZ network has now confirmed that our favorite chainsaw armed S-Mart employee will face the pesky undead again in a new TV series. Not only will Bruce Campbell be returning as our hero Ash, but Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert will also be involved. Raimi and Tapert first worked together with STARZ on the fan favorite sword and sandal excess series Spartacus and will re-team for The Evil Dead‘s first season that will consist of 10 half-hour episodes.
The release also mentions that this series is indeed the final incarnation of the long rumored film project Ash Vs. The Evil Dead and while the series will not adopt that name, the first episode will be directed by Sam Raimi himself and will indeed get the title Ash Vs. The Evil Dead. No word on whether this series will connect to the recent 2013 Evil Dead film that featured a post credits cameo from Campbell, but The Chin himself describes the series as “serious deadite ass-kicking and plenty of outrageous humor.” Sounds much more like the older films to me.
STARZ also explains the series will take place 30 years since Ash’s previous encounter with the Deadites, although there is no direct mention of the Army of Darkness film. Here’s exactly how the describe the state of Ash in The Evil Dead TV series:
“Ash, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead.”
Check out the full press release below that is full of quotes from Raimi and Campbell and few more tidbits of info about The Evil Dead series that will debut in 2015 on STARZ:
NETWORK RETEAMS SAM RAIMI, BRUCE CAMPBELL AND ROB TAPERT FOR A NEW TV SERIES BASED ON THEIR CLASSIC HORROR FILM THE EVIL DEAD
RAIMI TO DIRECT FIRST EPISODE oF NEW SERIES, “ASH VS. EVIL DEAD”
BRUCE CAMPBELL TO STAR AS TITLE CHARACTER, ASH
Beverly Hills, Calif. – November 10, 2014 – 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.
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