Bruce Campbell Talks 'EVIL DEAD RISE' And The Potential For ASH To Return In Animation
The future of the Evil Dead franchise is getting a fresh take with the new film ‘EVIL DEAD RISE’ directed by Lee Cronin and coming to theaters on April 21st. Executive producer and Ash himself, Bruce Campbell had a few things to say about the film as well as gave an update on his future as Ash Williams.
Speaking with the folks over at Bloody Disgusting, bruce had the following to say about ‘EVIL DEAD RISE’:
“Lee Cronin did a really bang-up job. You can expect to be very disturbed. It’s when mommies go bad. We dragged it out of the woods. We’re in an urban environment, which gives it a really gnarly feel. I think people are in for trouble. I feel sorry for audiences in advance!”
Will Evil Dead Rise mirror the intensity of Fede Alvarez’s ‘EVIL DEAD?
“Both filmmakers are equally capable individuals, so they both really just spanked it. It’s not a yuk-fest. It’s not hardy-har-har. It’s not Ash shooting finger guns. This is real shit going down. These guys took it real seriously. Lee Cronin is Irish, and he brings kind of a European feel to this thing.”
Campbell also dives into the special effects on the film.
“No one will ever be able to make fun of the Evil Dead special effects ever again as long as I’m alive. They used to love to do that; cheese-ball effects, garden hoses spewing stuff. Well, you know what? Eat it, bitches, because this is good stuff you’re about to see!”
Campbell’s involvement in Evil Dead Rise is very much more than a groovy cameo. He was very hands on with the film and its direction.
“I spent a month and a half in Europe last year on the post-production and all the sound. We sort of split up our duties. I like to get involved in the casting and post-production. Rob Tapert oversees the production in New Zealand. And Sam Raimi’s the Great Poobah. He’s the orchestrator. He makes sure it fits the Evil Dead mold.”
Campbell enjoys the freedom of working behind the camera. “It’s what makes the wheels turn sometimes. As an actor, you don’t have control over stuff. As a producer, you have control, so I produce as much stuff as I can get my hands on, just to be involved. It allows you to do your own thing. In a creative industry, I don’t really want to be told what to do by pretty much anybody, especially if you’ve been in it for a while.”
Bruce Campbell has stated he is officially retired as Ash due to his age and the physical demands of the character but that doesn’t mean his voice is retired. There is progress on an animated Evil Dead series that will be a continuation for the series and he gives a brief update on that project.
“All I can say is we’re actively pursuing it. Sam’s a busy guy. He had a big hit movie, so he’s got a lot on his plate, but he and his brother are actively shaping out the world. It’s one thing to get an animator and say, ‘Hey, animate this!’ You’ve got to know what you’re going to animate. I look forward to it, because my voice hasn’t aged as much as I have.”
We’ll have to see where Bruce and Ash wind up in the long run but we’re looking forward to Evil Dead Rise and so should you.
Stay up to date with “The Dark Side Of Pop Culture” by following MacabreDaily on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
