Starz announced today the greenlight of the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead. The project reteams the original filmmakers, director Sam Raimi, with longtime producing partner Rob Tapert and star Bruce Campbell.
The Starz original series officially titled Ash Vs. Evil Dead will be 10 half-hour episodes. Bruce Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who 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. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its "Evil" grip.
"Starz first worked with Sam and Rob on Spartacus, and we are thrilled to be back in business with them," said Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Starz. "With Sam writing and directing and Bruce Campbell returning to the screen, we are certain the show will give Evil Dead fans around the world the fix they've been craving."
"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," said Sam Raimi.
"I'm really excited to bring this series to the Evil Dead fans worldwide - it's going to be everything they have been clamoring for: serious deadite ass-kicking and plenty of outrageous humor," said Bruce Campbell.
"Starz has always been a great creative partner and we are excited to be working with them on this project," said Robert Tapert.
Raimi will direct the first episode. Ash Vs. Evil Dead was written by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Tom Spezialy. Sam Raimi will also serve as executive producer, along with Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell. Ivan Raimi will co-executive producer and Aaron Lam will serve as producer. Marta Fernandez will serve as the executive in charge at Starz.
The series will air on Starz in 2015.
