Written By: Sam Santiago
The Evil Dead franchise is still very much alive, with Evil Dead Burn set to hit theaters this summer and Evil Dead Wrath already scheduled for 2028. The series may be expanding, but one familiar face is not expected to return.
Bruce Campbell has made it increasingly clear that his time as Ash Williams is finished. While he briefly appeared in a vocal cameo in Evil Dead Rise, (if you're not paying attention you can totally miss it.) Campbell has remained firm since the cancellation of Ash vs Evil Dead that he is done playing the character that defined his career.
In a recent interview with the Detroit Free Press, Campbell once again addressed the franchise’s evolution and his absence from its future direction.
Campbell explains, “We’ve done three things: We moved away from the cabin, we’ve moved away from Sam Raimi, we’ve moved away from Ash and Bruce Campbell.”
He went on to point out the franchise’s financial and creative shift, saying, “Thankfully, Evil Dead Rise made the most of any money we’ve made from any Evil Dead, so far, and it validated the fact that we can get away from those main elements,” adding, “You’ve got to find a new audience, because the original Evil Dead fans, you get some of them, you’re not going to get all of them, because they like those original elements.”
Campbell also commented on how the series has changed from its origins, saying, “They’re Hollywood, they’re studio movies now. They’re not indie movies anymore. And that’s where I found that my use has just phased out.”
His involvement behind the scenes has also slowed significantly. Speaking to Forbes earlier this year, Campbell reflected on a development meeting for Evil Dead Burn and how the process has changed over time.
“We had a meeting a couple of years ago and the French director of Evil Dead Burn was there to experience his first script development meeting. He turned in a 10-page treatment to say, ‘Here’s my rough idea. Here’s what I’m thinking, A to Z’ and I think he got 20 pages of notes back,” he said.
That experience helped cement his decision to step back. Campbell explained, “That’s when I said to myself, ‘You guys got this. I think you guys got this.’ I got tired of arguing points with someone who’s 26 years old about story and structure, and all that sort of stuff, and what matters and what doesn’t,” adding, “So, I just found out it’s way better to just step back. I’m partners with the guys. Nothing else has changed. I just told them, ‘Guys. I’m actually doing my own thing now, and it takes a lot of time and attention. If I can get fewer emails for approvals not clogging my timeline, that’s good for me at this point.’”
We actually spoke with Campbell back in 2019 during the Ash vs Evil Dead era, when his stance on the character was very different. At the time he told us, “If the fans want more Ash, we’ll give him to them on truck loads, we’ll choke them with Ash.” That version of things now feels like a different era entirely, as both the franchise and Campbell have clearly moved on.
Outside of Evil Dead, Campbell has shifted focus to new projects, including directing and starring in the indie comedy Ernie & Emma, a story about a pear salesman whose life changes following the death of his wife and her unusual final wishes involving her ashes.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ERNIE & EMMA BELOW
We're sure fans will always have a soft spot for Ash and what Bruce Campbell brought to the character and franchise but now it seems all eyes are set on the future and our favorite S-Mart stock clerk will finally get the much needed rest he deserves. Now we're not counting out a possible return for Ash via voice-over work for say a new video game or animated series, (hint hint) but as far as Campbell revving up the chainsaw and dusting off the"boomstick" for one more ride into hell, that isn't in the cards, baby.