Evil Dead IV... Is Officially Happening
Yes, you read that thread title correctly; a fourth Evil Dead was announced recently and has now been confirmed by the B-Movie legend Bruce Campbell, who portrayed the tortured by Deadites (and abused by Sam Raimi) 'Ash' in the first three Evil Dead films.
I know of one fourmite who will be very excited by this news but what do the rest of you think?
Personally, I'm highly curious to see what comes of this development. The Evil Dead movies were some of my most watched VHS tapes during my childhood (I have fairly liberal parents) and I can remember eagerly browsing the shelves of my local indie video store, in the hope of spotting Evil Dead IV in the days of pre-Internet. Now many moons later, it's hard to believe that it's finally happening.
I hope for a return to the horror roots of the series, as opposed to the slap-stick shenanigans of the third entry "Army of Darkness" (aka The Medieval Dead). Although I would like for some of the over the top comedy of Evil Dead II to remain. Something of an inbetween of the first and second films would be my preference. Whatever may end up on screen, it's going to be a lot of fun watching Bruce return to his iconic role*.
* Those three so-so video games don't count.
Bruce Campbell, the legendary B-movie actor best known for his role in the 'Evil Dead' franchise, has confirmed he is to return for a fourth instalment of the cult horror classic. Campbell, who famously played 'Ash' in Sam Raimi's 'The Evil Dead', 'Evil Dead II' and 'Army of Darkness', confirmed the news via Twitter.
Campbell's confirmation came after one fan of the movies tweeted, "I won't believe in a new Evil Dead film until I see it. Or at least not until [Bruce Campbell] tells me to believe in it". Within an hour, the actor had responded in the affirmative, saying, "Believe in the remake, dawg!" adding, "The project is real. In the works. Cool as hell. Scary as hell".
It is reported Raimi will write and produce the new movie, but will not direct - his long-time associate Fede Alvarez will instead get behind the camera. Although the franchise only grossed a total of $19.8 million at the box-office, its influence on contemporary horror writers and directors is monumental. - contactmusic.com
I know of one fourmite who will be very excited by this news but what do the rest of you think?
Personally, I'm highly curious to see what comes of this development. The Evil Dead movies were some of my most watched VHS tapes during my childhood (I have fairly liberal parents) and I can remember eagerly browsing the shelves of my local indie video store, in the hope of spotting Evil Dead IV in the days of pre-Internet. Now many moons later, it's hard to believe that it's finally happening.
I hope for a return to the horror roots of the series, as opposed to the slap-stick shenanigans of the third entry "Army of Darkness" (aka The Medieval Dead). Although I would like for some of the over the top comedy of Evil Dead II to remain. Something of an inbetween of the first and second films would be my preference. Whatever may end up on screen, it's going to be a lot of fun watching Bruce return to his iconic role*.
* Those three so-so video games don't count.
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Oh man! You're right, it's unknown what role Bruce has in this, if any. Now I don't know what to think.
Oh well, at least we had Drag Me To Hell with it's subtle Ash cameo.
Also, I'd prefer the slapstick comedy of the second one. Not really a horror fan, me.
1: An act or an instance of contradicting.
2a: A proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and falsity of something.
b: A statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other <a round square is a contradictionin terms>
Second reaction: ... Bruce had goddamn better be Ash.
I'm assuming you're referring to Freddy Vs Jason Vs Ash, in which case...
NNNNOOOOooooooooooo!
Keep that shit for the comics.
However if he's not...
It truly saddens me. Not just as a Bruce fan, but he WAS the series. Especially now, with all the zombie overkill movies around, he is what would have been the big draw. If he is not a part of it, I'm sorry Sam, but it would be just another zombie movie(yes, I know it's not in the traditional sense...I am very well familiar with the films, but dead people coming back and killing people falls into the category anyway no matter what the hook is). He should have done it 5 years ago when they were first discussing it. The genre has been dismembered by this point and I really don't think there is much interest in a reboot.
As much as I'd like to see them try it, I agree.
It would just be a mess. Movies have to deal with filming style, atmosphere, flow, staying true to the slight details revolving each legacy, dialogue, overall delivery. Things the comic world can stretch around. It's just too hard. I watched making of...s and documentaries surrounding Freddy VS Jason and they tried...they really really tried hard to deliver for both fans. You just tell in production interviews how tightly wound everyone was developing and shooting it to keep it a strong Freddy movie, a strong Jason movie and a strong overall film. The results were a little subpar but that's how it goes. It is almost hard to watch all the interviews. I was surprised how much the director believed in it and wanted everyone to be happy....it was just too big of a task for a decent length movie.
I didn't mind it, but the movie had a few big problems. Like Jason being afraid of water. He is ALWAYS going in the water(in fact he goes down drowning three[arguably four] times through the series) but from a film making perspective they were stuck...they needed Jason to be afraid of something and the only thing he would have been afraid of is disappointing his mother which is why the movie starts really. They couldnt have her yelling at him the whole movie...the point of the first film was how much she loved him and people would have complained if they wrecked that aspect.... they were just stuck in a spot of not being able to please everyone.
It doesn't have to be FvJvA, either. It could be just be FvJ2, but with more of a Freddy slant. The first was way too focused on Jason for my liking, with Freddy waiting in the wings while the characters rehash his modus operandi for the billionth time.
I guess my point is that I want more Freddy.
To be honest, I've never watched the first film. No, sadly I've only watched the second and third film, because I've never been able to find a copy of the first. So, I don't really know the actual canonical relation between Evil Dead I and II.
Also, it's a reboot.
Very much so. It's great. The branch scene. Everything.
I've never been a horror film fan, and (although some of you might call this blasphemy) I still think "Brisco County Jr." was the finest work Campbell has ever done (which is why it gave me chills to hear the Brisco-theme in "My name is Bruce", when his outfit from that show was seen). Oh, and I like "Army of Darkness" the best of the trilogy
Tredlow, I can't believe that you've never found a copy. There's about 50 different versions available on VHS, DVD and now Blu-Ray. Heck, I own four copies myself (including an awsome version that's contained in a full on replica of the book of the dead, made by the original designer no less).
Here's the front of the DVD I'm referring to. It acts as a real book, right down to replicas of the individual pages within. It's geek-tastic.
* Interesting Fact: Joel Coen, of the Coen Brothers fame was one of the editors on the original Evil Dead.
Pfft, that's exactly what I'd expect a non-horror fan to say.
It's actually pretty hard for me to get DVDs of old movies in my town. Heck, I got copies of the second and third films from my friend.
No offense intended but what kind of sucky-ass town do you live in, where shops don't stock new releases of older films?!
i kno rite
aint it tho bruv, fo realz
Heh, you may be right there. I'm very much a non-horror fan, but I've seen Army of Darkness many times. It's just so freakin' funny.
For me an Evil Dead movie without Bruce Campbell would be like an Indy movie without Harrison Ford.
Which would be like an Indy movie with Shia LaButtFuck.
Anyway, as much as my first instinct in the announcement of a new Evil Dead makes me want to poop my pants (in a good way), without confirmation that it's going to be about Ash and starring Bruce Campbell, it's hard to be too excited yet.
And I for one would hate it if they get rid of the slapstick. I don't dislike the first movie, but it spends nowhere near as much time on my TV screen as 2 and AoD.
I am of the opinion that not only is he a bad actor, but his character and performance were the sole factors that ruined Indy IV for me.
Say, I recommend Shia for Evil Dead 4's hero! Come on! Who wouldn't want to see him get abused by the Deadites?
This is exactly how I feel. My previous post is best served with a pinch of salt.
EDIT:
Bruce apparently isn't talking about it. Sounds like they don't even know what they want to do yet...or Bruce is just being Bruce. Looks like we're waiting a while longer to get a definite answer
I've heard word that it's definitely a remake with an original cast. Bruce will make a cameo at the very end (hence his comment about playing an old man). Ho hum.
It's pure guesswork on my part but I suspect that Bruce will be cameoing as Ash at the end, so although the main story will retread the events of Evil Dead 1 & 2, it will still technically take place within the same canon as the Campbell years.
I dunno, maybe old-man Ash turns up at the end of the movie to save the day and show the new kids how it's done. Or perhaps Bruce will reprise the role of Ash as a ghostly apparition (ala Professor Knowby in Evil Dead II), warning the kids of what their dealing with and how they can beat the Deadites.
http://www.horror-movies.ca/2011/07/video-bruce-campbell-talks-evil-dead-remake/