Prepare your chainsaws because another blood-soaked adventure in the Evil Dead universe is on the horizon! Following the triumphant reception of Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise, which raked in an impressive $147 million against its modest $15-19 million budget, fans can rejoice as a new installment in the franchise is being crafted under the esteemed banner of Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert’s Ghost House Pictures.
Taking the helm of this eagerly anticipated project is Sébastien Vaniček, the visionary director behind last year’s French horror sensation, Vermine.
This spine-chilling tale, depicting a harrowing invasion of deadly spiders in a French housing project, garnered acclaim as the “scariest film at the Venice Film Festival.” Notably, Vermine clinched the prestigious accolades of Best Picture and Best Director at Fantastic Fest, along with a Special Jury Prize at the Sitges Film Festival.
Vaniček’s recent collaboration with Creative Artists Agency, as reported by Deadline, has seamlessly linked him with the Raimi-produced endeavor.
The Evil Dead franchise has etched itself into cinematic history since its inception in 1981, with Raimi’s original film captivating audiences with its tale of unwitting college students—portrayed by Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, and Theresa Tilly—unleashing demonic forces during a fateful retreat to an isolated cabin.
This inaugural offering laid the foundation for sequels like Evil Dead 2 (1987) and Army of Darkness (1993), as well as the beloved spin-off series Ash vs. Evil Dead, headlined by Bruce Campbell, which graced screens in 2015 for three electrifying seasons. Not to be overlooked, Fede Alvarez’s 2013 remake injected fresh terror into the franchise, starring Jane Levy and Shiloh Fernandez.
While details surrounding Vaniček’s Evil Dead spin-off remain shrouded in mystery, one thing’s for certain: anticipation is at a fever pitch. In the meantime, fans can relish the horrors of Evil Dead Rise, which is currently available for streaming on Max. And for those hungry for more cinematic thrills, be sure to peruse our curated list of the most tantalizing upcoming movies in 2024 and beyond.