The Evil Dead (franchise)

"Evil Dead" redirects here. For the specific films or other works of this title, see The Evil Dead (disambiguation).
The Evil Dead

Theatrical release poster for the first film
Directed by Sam Raimi
Produced by Robert Tapert
Sam Raimi
Dino De Laurentiis
Bruce Campbell
Written by Sam Raimi
Scott Spiegel
Ivan Raimi
Fede Alvarez
Rodo Sayagues
Starring Bruce Campbell
Music by Joseph LoDuca
Roque Baños
Cinematography Tim Philo
Peter Deming
Bill Pope
Aaron Morton
Edited by Edna Euth Paul
Kaye Davis
Bob Murawski
Sam Raimi (as R.O.C. Sandstorm)
Bryan Shaw
Production
company
Distributed by New Line Cinema
Release dates
 1978
Country United States
Language English
Budget $34.000.000 (est.)
(all four films)
Box office $46.700.000 (est.)

The Evil Dead is an American horror film franchise created by Sam Raimi consisting of four feature films. The films revolve around the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, an ancient Sumerian text which wreaks havoc upon a group of cabin inhabitants in a wooded area in Tennessee. The protagonist, Ashley J. "Ash" Williams (Bruce Campbell) is the only character to appear in every installment of the original trilogy (Linda, Ash's girlfriend makes an appearance in all 3 films, but her only appearance in Army of Darkness is during the prologue). The original trilogy includes The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992), all written and directed by Raimi, produced by Robert G. Tapert, and starring Campbell. The franchise has since expanded into other formats such as video games and comic books, and a musical opened in Toronto in 2003 containing material from all three films.

The franchise was resurrected in 2013 with Evil Dead, both a reboot and a loose continuation of the series directed by Fede Alvarez and produced by Raimi, Campbell and Tapert. It is rumored that there will be three other installments of the franchise that are considered: a sequel to the 2013 reboot currently entitled Evil Dead 2 but will not be directed by Alvarez,[1][2] a direct sequel to the original trilogy currently entitled Army of Darkness 2 rumored to be directed by Sam Raimi and starring Campbell,[3][4] and a seventh and final film which would merge the narratives of both chronologies.[5]

In July 2014, Bruce Campbell stated it was likely the planned sequel would instead be a TV series with him as the star. [6] Starz officially announced on November 10, 2014 that a ten-episode series titled Ash vs. Evil Dead would premiere on their cable network in 2015. The series will star Bruce Campbell as Ash and will be executive produced by Campbell, Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert.[7]

Development

Within the Woods

In January 1978 Bruce Campbell was a college dropout who had just quit his job as a taxicab driver. Sam Raimi was studying literature at Michigan State University with Robert Tapert finishing his economics degree. While putting the finishing touches on It's Murder! Tapert suggested doing a feature length film to Raimi. Raimi felt it to be impossible citing that they could never pull off the funding. Campbell did not mind stating that "I could always move back home." Tapert feared a career in fisheries/wildlife while Raimi was afraid that he would go back to work at his dad's home furnishing store. These were the practical reasons that convinced the three to put forth a feature length film.[8] The three were highly supportive fans of the comedy genre, though they decided not to do such a film as they felt "a feature-length yuck fest just didn't compute". To do the film as a horror was put forth after they were inspired by a well noted scene from It's Murder. This moved Raimi to write the short film Clockwork. The three felt the end result was very effective and represented a new direction that their films could take, that of a semi-successful horror film.[9]

This would later lead to research of low-budget horror films at the local drive-in theater. The many films that they watched were the "two films for two dollars", allowing them the chance to document the behavior of what would become their target audience. Campbell quoted, "the message was very clear: Keep the pace fast and furious, and once the horror starts, never let up. 'The gorier the merrier' became our prime directive." Films that were witnessed amongst them included Massacre at Central High and Revenge of the Cheerleaders. The idea to do a "prototype" was commissioned, to prove not only to themselves, but also to potential investors that they were capable of doing a full length horror film. The same year, at Michigan State, Raimi had been studying H. P. Lovecraft and was most impressed with Necronomicon, or simply The Book of the Dead. From these rough concepts, he concocted a short story where a group of four friends unwittingly dig up an Indian burial ground and unleash horrific spirits and demons.[10] In the spring of 1978, filming of Within the Woods started over a three-day weekend, on a budget of $1,600.[11]

Within the Woods, as well as serving as a prototype, had impressed the filmmakers. For a marketing strategy a screening was arranged at their former high school, with a positive response.[12]

Financing

Filming was first commissioned for the summer of 1979 in Michigan. In order to organize the budget, Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell bought a few "how to make an independent film" guide publications. The budget was originally centered on $150,000 while shooting with a Super 8 camera. However, due to technical difficulties, it was decided to move it up to 16 mm format, as they wanted to film the project in the style of the many low-budget films at the time that had come out in the 1970s.[13] Since they had little experience in the film industry, the three felt they should buy business suits and briefcases as a means to convince investors that they "had all the answers." A man named Andy Grainger, who was a friend of Tapert and owner of a series of movie theaters, was the first primary investor. He stated, "Fellas, no matter what, just keep the blood running." As a tribute to him, there's a scene in the finished film where an old film projector whirs to life and "projects" blood running down the screen.[14]

Most importantly, Grainger provided the name of a distributor in New York City whom they could approach for possible distribution. The company was Levitt-Pickman Films, who most recently was famous for Groove Tube, starring a very young Chevy Chase. The filmmakers took a train at $40 each, as they knew none of their cars could make an entire round trip road trip. One of Campbell's old girlfriends named Andrea allowed them to stay at her apartment. Andrea's cat fell asleep on Raimi's face without even disturbing him, and Raimi, who is allergic to cats, had his eyes swollen shut.[14]

Films

The Evil Dead (1981)

Main article: The Evil Dead

Released in 1981, this is the first film in the series. It introduces the series' protagonist, Ash, and the Book of the Dead and what it brings with it.

Evil Dead II (1987)

Main article: Evil Dead II

Released in 1987, this film is a sequel to the original continuing where the last film ended, (a recap of the previous film is shown in the beginning, though it is often confused as being an edited remake of the beginning of the first film) and shows the horrors of Ash's battling with the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and demons.

Army of Darkness (1993)

Main article: Army of Darkness

Released in 1992, this is the third film in the franchise (and the last featuring Ash Williams taking a lead role so far), taking Ash back in time to England in 1300 AD. The movie has horror attributes, but is based mainly on slapstick and action. This time the evil creatures are explicitly referred to as deadites.

Evil Dead (2013)

Main article: Evil Dead (2013 film)

Evil Dead is the title of a film that serves as both a reboot and a continuation of the franchise. Unlike the first three films the movie does not feature the character of Ash Williams, instead following a new protagonist name Mia Allen. The film is considered a continuation of the franchise and plans to feature both Ash and Mia in future installments have been discussed.

Future

At the premiere event for the 2013 film at SXSW, Alvarez announced that a sequel is in the works (but has backed out of writing and directing the film). Sam Raimi confirmed plans to write Evil Dead 4 with his brother; it was later specified that this film would be Army of Darkness 2.[15] At a WonderCon panel in March 2013, Campbell stated that their ultimate plan was for Evil Dead 2 and Raimi's Army of Darkness 2 to be followed by a crossover film which would merge the narratives of Ash and Mia.[5] Campbell had confirmed to reprised his Ash role in Army of Darkness 2.[16] On October 26, Alvarez confirmed on his Twitter that Sam Raimi will be directing Army of Darkness 2.[17] On October 30, 2013, co-writer Sayagues confirmed to Desdhollywood that he and Alvarez won't return for the sequel.[18][19][20] That same month, Alvarez took to his Twitter that the rumor is not true.[19][21] Contrary to popular rumors and even mentions by Campbell himself, Campbell has stated that he may not appear in Army of Darkness 2 by stating: "It's all Internet b.s. – there's no reality whatsoever. These random comments slip out of my mouth or Sam Raimi's mouth, next thing you know, we're making a sequel."[22][23]

Other films

Ash vs. Freddy vs. Jason

In the documentary "The Untold Saga of The Evil Dead" Rob Tapert states that New Line-Warner had said they wanted to do Ash vs. Freddy vs. Jason: "We thought about it for one second but we knew we would have totally trashed the franchise in doing that, in that there would be no reason to reunite Bruce and Sam for Evil Dead 4 whatever that would be nor would there be any reason to go back and reinvent the original Evil Dead with a hot new filmmaker". A comic book series was produced based on this concept.

Unofficial sequels

In Italy, The Evil Dead was released under the title La Casa ("The House") and Evil Dead II became La Casa II. These were followed by three unrelated movies: Umberto Lenzi's La Casa 3 (aka Ghosthouse) (1988), Fabrizio Laurenti's La Casa 4 (aka Witchery) (1988) and Claudio Fragasso's La Casa 5 (aka Beyond Darkness) (1990). This is similar to what has happened in George A. Romero's Living Dead series starting with Zombi 2. House II: The Second Story (1987) and The Horror Show (1989) were retitled La Casa 6 and La Casa 7 respectively in their Italian releases.[24]

Awards Pictures, a company that attempted to begin a new line of movies in the series in 2004, announced plans in May 2012 to film an Evil Dead 4, one that has nothing to do with the original films. Because of this, Sam Raimi sued Awards Pictures in an attempt to stop them from making said film, due to his own plan to someday film one himself. In August 2012, U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer entered a default judgment that “permanently enjoined” Awards Pictures from using the names Evil Dead, Evil Dead: Genesis of the Necronomicon, Evil Dead: Genesis of the Necronomicon, Part 2 or Evil Dead: Consequences “as or as part of the title of a motion picture, television program, video game, play, book or any other form of entertainment provided or to be provided through any media.”[25]

The Cabin in the Woods also features many references to the film and even features Deadites and the possessed trees although this is considered more a reference than a direct sequel.

Indirect sequels

Bruce Campbell directed and starred in a film titled My Name Is Bruce.[26] It does not continue the story of Army of Darkness but is a fictionalized portrayal of Bruce living his everyday life in which he is erroneously believed to be as heroic as the Ash character and is hired to fight an ancient spirit. The film was released to a limited number of theaters on October 26, 2008 and was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on February 10, 2009.

Television

It was revealed at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con that Sam Raimi was developing an Evil Dead television series. It is being written by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, and Bruce Campbell with the plan for Campbell to star in the series. This was further confirmed by Bruce Campbell at Ohio Comic-Con 2014.[27][28] In 2015, an older Ash will appear as the main character in Ash vs. Evil Dead, a horror comedy series for Starz. This will continue Ash's story long after the film trilogy. Some snippets from an Entertainment Weekly interview with Bruce Campbell: "Ash has survivor’s guilt. You could have a heyday with his PTSD. He’s a war vet. He continues being a trash-talking know-it-all who doesn't really know anything.[29] He’s the ultimate anti-hero. He’s kind of an idiot, but man, if I had to go to battle, I’d want to be next to that guy, because he’ll bring it if he has to." Variety quotes executive producer Sam Raimi as saying “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”. Sam Raimi will direct the first episode of the series and the show will be written by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Tom Spezialy. Original film series producer Rob Tapert is returning to co-produce along with Raimi and Campbell.[30] So far one season of Ash vs. Evil Dead consisting of 10 episodes (30 minutes each) have been ordered by Starz.[31][32] On February 11, 2015, Ray Santiago and Dana Delorenzo were cast in the roles of Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick – a Sancho Panza to Ash’s Don Quixote. Pablo believes in Ash’s heroism even if Ash himself doesn’t and Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past. Reluctantly dragged into the fight against Evil with Ash and Pablo, Kelly finds a different kind of family with her fellow Deadite slayers. The series details reads "Campbell reprises his role as Ash, the 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."[33][34] The series is set to start filming in the spring of 2015 in New Zealand.[35] The pilot episode of the series was written by Ivan Raimi, Craig DiGregorio and Tom Spezialy. It is set with Sam Raimi to direct.[36] In February 2015, Starz confirmed that Jill Marie Jones will be playing the leading role of Michigan State Trooper Amanda Fisher.[37] In March 2015, Lucy Lawless will co-star as Ruby, a mysterious figure who's on a quest to stop the evil outbreak and believes that Ash is the one who's the cause of it.[38] In April 2015, Starz released a new graphic teaser advertising the TV show is coming in the Fall of 2015, along with a new poster for the series. [39]

Cast and characters

Character Film
The Evil Dead Evil Dead II Army of Darkness Evil Dead
Ash Williams Bruce Campbell Bruce Campbell (cameo as 'Old' Ash)
Mia Allen Jane Levy
Linda Betsy Baker Denise Bixler Bridget Fonda
Cheryl Williams Ellen Sandweiss Ellen Sandweiss (voice only)
Professor Knowby Bob Dorian John Peaks Bob Dorian (voice only)
Scotty Hal Delrich
Shelly Sarah York
Evil Ashley J. "Ash" Williamses Bruce Campbell (uncredited)
Annie Knowby Sarah Berry
Jake Dan Hicks
Bobby Joe Kassie DePaiva
Professor Ed Getley Richard Domeier
Henrietta Knowby Lou Hancock
Sheila Embeth Davidtz
Lord Arthur Marcus Gilbert
Wiseman Ian Abercrombie
Duke Henry the Red Richard Grove
David Allen Shiloh Fernandez
Eric Lou Taylor Pucci
Olivia Jessica Lucas
Natalie Elizabeth Blackmore
Abomination Mia Randal Wilson
The Demon (voice) Rupert Degas
Ted Raimi (cameos) Fake Shemp Possessed Henrietta Cowardly Warrior/Second Supportive Villager/S-Mart Clerk

Box office

Film Release date Box office revenue Box office ranking Budget Reference
United States Foreign Worldwide All time domestic All time worldwide
The Evil Dead October 15, 1981 $2,400,000 $27,000,000 $29,400,000 5,825 $375,000 [40][41]
Evil Dead II March 13, 1987 $5,923,044 $5,923,044 4,822 $3,500,000 [42][43]
Army of Darkness October 9, 1992 $11,502,976 $10,000,000 $21,502,976 3,934 $11,000,000 [44][45]
Evil Dead March 8, 2013 $54,239,856 $43,162,193 $97,402,049 1,290 $17,000,000 [46][47]
Total $74,065,876(E) $80,162,193(E) $154,228,069(E) $31,875,000(E) [48]
List indicator(s)
  • A dark grey cell indicates the information is not available for the film.
    •
  • (E) indicates an estimated figure based on available numbers.

Video games

There have been six Evil Dead video games:

Ash Williams also appears as a non-playable character in Telltale Games' game Poker Night 2.

Comic books

Dark Horse Comics

In 1992, Dark Horse Comics produced a mini-series adaptation of Army of Darkness adapted and illustrated by John Bolton. A trade paperback of this series was released by Dynamite Entertainment on September 25, 2006.

In 2008, Dark Horse revisited the franchise with a four issue adaptation of the The Evil Dead written by Mark Verheiden and once again illustrated by John Bolton.

Dynamite Entertainment

In 2004, Dynamite Entertainment acquired the license to publish titles based on Army of Darkness and, in conjunction with Devil's Due Publishing, released the Army of Darkness: Ashes 2 Ashes mini-series. A second mini-series, Army of Darkness: Shop till You Drop Dead followed in 2005. Later that year, Dynamite separated itself from Devil's Due and began focusing entirely on self-published titles featuring the Army of Darkness franchise. This included an ongoing series that began in 2005 and saw Ash battling other horror icon such as Herbert West and Dracula. The series lasted thirteen issues before being rebooted with a second volume in 2007. The second series lasted twenty-seven issues before coming to an end. Over the years, there have also been several one-shot specials as well as crossovers with a wide variety of characters such as, Marvel Zombies, Darkman, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Xena, Danger Girl and even Barack Obama. The series was then rebooted in 2013 and started over from the last scene in Army Of Darkness the film, because ash mispoke the words S-Mart was sent back in time to the Medieval times where the wiseman has been possessed, ash fights through many battles with the same characters from the film. At the end of this series ash proposes to Sheila, in the next series "Ash gets hitched" they get married but Ash gets sent forward in time when he accidentally speaks a phrase that opens up a vortex. He wants to get back to Sheila but runs into many situations causing delays, he is currently in space fighting the evil.

Musical

The production team of George Reinblatt, Christopher Bond and Frank Cipolla recently created an Off Broadway show titled Evil Dead: The Musical, based on the film series. Its New York run was directed by Bond and Hinton Battle, who also choreographed the show. Ryan Ward played the part of Ash. Tying in with the midnight movie plot of a group of friends visiting a wooded cabin and unleashing untold evil, performances did not start until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Previews began October 1 and the show opened November 1 at the New World Stages. It was announced on January 31, 2007 that Evil Dead: The Musical's New York production at New World Stages would close on February 17, 2007. Toronto producers announced a new Toronto production of the show, also starring Ryan Ward, at the Diesel Playhouse. The new production started its running May 1, 2007 and has been announced to end on September 8, 2007.

Music

Many bands have referenced The Evil Dead films in their songs and videos:

References

  1. ↑ Douglas, Edward (2013-03-09). "No Evil Dead 4…. Army of Darkness 2!". Shock Till You Drop. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  2. ↑ "Evil Dead Remake: New Characters, New Story, & Bruce Campbell Cameo after the credits". Screenrant.com. 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  3. ↑ "The next Project in the franchise would be ‘Army of Darkness 2′ Not ‘Evil Dead 4′". Screenrant.com. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  4. ↑ "Evil Dead 4 Will Be Army of Darkness 2!". MovieWeb.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fischer, Russ (March 30, 2013). "Bruce Campbell and 'Evil Dead' The producers of the Evil Dead Films Would Love to Merge Original and Remake Storylines". slashfilm.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  6. ↑ http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bruce-campbell-says-he-plans-to-star-in-sam-raimis-the-evil-dead-tv-series-1201270689/
  7. ↑ http://hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/starz-orders-evil-dead-tv-747919
  8. ↑ Bruce Campbell (August 2002). If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor. LA Weekly Books. pp. 63–4. ISBN 0-312-29145-0.
  9. ↑ Campbell, p.65
  10. ↑ Campbell, pp. 66–7
  11. ↑ Campbell, pp. 69–70
  12. ↑ Campbell, pp. 71–2
  13. ↑ Campbell, pp. 73–5
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Campbell, pp. 77–9
  15. ↑ "Sam Raimi's Next Project is Army of Darkness 2′' Not Evil Dead 4". Screenrant.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  16. ↑ "Bruce Campbell Confirms He Will Do Army Of Darkness Sequel". Comicbook.com. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  17. ↑ "Twitter / fedalvar: "@thielebenjamin: Hey @fedalvar". Twitter.com. 2013-10-26. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  18. ↑ "BREAKING: Evil Dead Writer Confirms Him and Fede Alvarez Exited the Sequel. Describes ‘Machina’". Desdehollywood.com. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Twitter / fedalvar: "@MikeMcCabeSad Apparently". Twitter.com. 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ UPDATED: 'Evil Dead 2' Is Still On With Fede Alvarez Attached!!
  22. ↑ "Bruce Campbell says No Army of Darkness 2". Youtube.com. 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  23. ↑ Ryan Turek (2013-11-05). "Bruce Campbell Wants to Set the Record Straight About Army of Darkness 2, And He Feels Bad for You". M.shocktillyoudrop.com. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  24. ↑ Maçek III, J.C. (2013-04-29). "Books of the Dead: The Followers and Clones of 'The Evil Dead'". PopMatters.
  25. ↑ Schou, Solvej (28 August 2012). "Sam Raimi wins judgement to block unauthorized sequel to 'The Evil Dead'". Inside Movies. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  26. ↑ "Events". Bruce-campbell.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  27. ↑ http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3304989/evil-dead-tv-series-developed-sam-raimi-bruce-campbell-sdcc/
  28. ↑ http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3305341/bruce-campbell-will-star-evil-dead-tv-series-sdcc/
  29. ↑ http://www.nerdist.com/2014/11/ash-vs-evil-dead-is-headed-to-starz-helmed-by-sam-raimi/
  30. ↑ http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/85063/tca-winter-2015-new-evil-dead-tv-series-details
  31. ↑ "'Evil Dead' TV show starring Bruce Campbell greenlit by Starz". EW.com. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  32. ↑ Elavksy, Cindy (15 January 2015). "Celebrity Extra". King Features. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  33. ↑ Maas, Jennifer (February 11, 2015). "Ray Santiago, Dana Delorenzo Join Ash Vs Evil Dead". EW.com.
  34. ↑ Mr Disgusting (February 11, 2015). "Breaking: “Ash Vs Evil Dead” Casting and Details!". Bloody Disgusting.
  35. ↑ "'Ash Vs. Evil Dead". EW.com. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  36. ↑ Sean Decker (February 11, 2015). "Bruce Campbell Talks Ash vs. Evil Dead with Dread Central". Dread Central.
  37. ↑ Sean Decker (February 11, 2015). "Lead Actress Announced for ‘Ash Vs. Evil Dead’!l". BD.
  38. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (March 9, 2015). "Lucy Lawless to Co-Star in 'Evil Dead' Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter.
  39. ↑ Lealos, Shawn. "Ash vs. Evil Dead Teaser". Renegade Cinema. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  40. ↑ "The Evil Dead (1983)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  41. ↑ "The Evil Dead". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Evil Dead II (1987)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Evil Dead II". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Army of Darkness". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Army of Darkness (1993)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Evil Dead (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Evil Dead". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Evil Dead Franchise Box Office". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved October 20, 2014.

External links