Bruce Campbell is set to return as Ash Williams, not in a live-action role, but through an animated series. The actor, known for his iconic portrayal of Ash in the “Evil Dead” franchise, revealed the development while promoting his latest Peacock series, “Hysteria.”
“We are developing an animated version, like a series,” Campbell told Entertainment Weekly. “I’ll do Ash’s voice all day long because my voice hasn’t aged as much as I have.” This announcement confirms that the project, which was previously only discussed as a possibility, is now officially in development.
For long-time fans of the franchise, this represents a thrilling extension of the universe. The “Evil Dead” franchise, originally starting in the early 1980s with Sam Raimi’s cult film “The Evil Dead,” has transformed over the decades to include sequels, remakes, and even a television series. Now, it is taking a significant step into the world of animation.
“I love the idea of an Evil Dead series, and I could see it being completely bonkers! They could really go above and beyond anything they’ve done with the live-action projects,” Campbell added. This statement suggests that the animated format could unleash an entirely new creative potential, unbound by the physical limitations and logistical constraints of live-action filmmaking.
In addition to the animated series, Campbell also teased two new “Evil Dead” movies in the works. “The future is two more damn movies. We’ve got two new fabulous directors that have two new scripts in the shoot, and we think we’ve suckered a studio into coughing up the dough for both, since they seem to still make money,” he said. The directors, Francis Galluppi and Sébastien Vaniček, are set to bring fresh, terrifying tales to the beloved horror franchise following Lee Cronin’s “Evil Dead Rise” (2023) and Fede Alvarez’s “Evil Dead” (2013).
As fans eagerly anticipate these new installments, Campbell assured them that the essence of “Evil Dead” would remain intact, even with the shift to animation. “The trick is to take the elements that people like, which is innocent people being tortured by a malicious entity, and it’s people who have no skills to stop it,” he explained.
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“Evil Dead” has always thrived on its blend of horror and dark humor, and this new animated series promises to deliver both in ample measure. Animated media have a unique ability to exaggerate and stylize scenes in ways that live-action can’t always capture. This could result in an “Evil Dead” experience that is both familiar and refreshingly new.
Campbell’s enthusiasm for continuing the story through his voice acting is palpable. “I’ll never grow tired of voicing Ash,” he said. “It’s a character that’s so close to me, almost like a second skin. The fans have always been incredible, and this is a way to give them more of what they love while experimenting with the format.”
Beyond the sheer fun of seeing Ash in animated form, the project also holds promise for deeper exploration of the “Evil Dead” universe. Animation provides a platform where the storytelling possibilities are virtually limitless. Fans might see new demonic foes, alternate dimensions, or even historical tie-ins that the live-action format might struggle to portray convincingly.
The addition of new directors and fresh creative inputs is also a promising sign for the franchise’s resilience and adaptability. Galluppi and Vaniček are relatively newcomers but have built a reputation for innovative storytelling in their fields. Their involvement signals that the franchise is willing to take risks and push boundaries.
In conclusion, the development of an animated “Evil Dead” series with Bruce Campbell reprising his role as Ash Williams is an exciting leap forward for the franchise. It combines familiar elements with the new possibilities that animation offers, all while staying true to the core that has made “Evil Dead” a fan favorite for decades. With the additional hint of two new films in the pipeline, the future looks bright—and terrifyingly entertaining—for “Evil Dead” aficionados.
As Ash himself might say, “Groovy!”
