How groovy is this, Ash? French filmmakerSébastien Vaničekhas been tasked with directing a brand-newEvil Deadspin-off movie, which he promises will be “a film that hurts.” Vaniček also revealed that producer andEvil Deadcreator Sam Raimi is giving him “100% creative freedom” and allowing for a “French twist” to be incorporated into the 40+ yearEvil Deadlegacy. Plus, Vaniček said his spin-off could start filming later this year and be ready for release by Halloween of 2025. Vaniček toldBloody Disgusting:
If all goes well, we could start filming at the end of 2024 — beginning of 2025, for a release that I hope for Halloween 2025.
Vaniček said in the same interview:
“I told the studio that I wanted to make a nasty film. A film that hurts from which you come away tested. I’m going to put all the horror I have inside [in the movie]. It will be cathartic. And if I haven’t ruined my career — and I can continue to make films behind it — I will move on to something other than horror!”
The Evil Dead
The director most recently helmed his first feature-length horror film,Vermin, akaVermines, but he’s also worked on several shorts, including299 792 458 m/s,MaydayandCrocs.And he will continue a thriving legacy that most recently stormed the box office with 2023’sEvil Dead Rise.
‘Mommy’s with the Maggots Now’
What began on the big screen with a small indie film calledThe Evil Deadin 1981 spawned a horror franchise boasting a 40+ year legacy and one of the genre’s most memorable and charismatic heroes, Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell). But even without the chainsaw-wielding,wildly quotable and groovy Ash, 2023’sEvil Dead Risebecame the series’ most lucrative Silver Screen entry.
Evil Dead Risemade an impressive $147 million at the worldwide box office during its theatrical run. And while the horror film performed well domestically with $67.2 million, director Lee Cronin’s turn at the helm made even more money overseas with $79.8 million.
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Cronin even discussed that beautifully infamous line of dialogue: “Mommy’s with the maggots now.” That sort of well-written dialogue, along with stellar storytelling and some exceptional filmmaking skills, helpedEvil Dead Riseachieve so much success. Cronin said in an exclusive interview withRogerEbert.com:
“When her child — in this case, Danny — is speaking to her in disbelief but also hopes that she’s still alive, there’s a confusion there, and she sticks the psychological knife right in him. I love that line. I remember, with ‘Mommy’s with the maggots now,’ I really hoped it would end up on a T-shirt someday. And lo and behold, it’s now on a T-shirt. So, it definitely landed.”
Sébastien Vaniček’sEvil Deadspin-off could drop in theaters as soon as Halloween 2025. And fans can check out Cronin’sEvil Dead Rise, which is streaming on Max, at the time of this writing.
