Evil Dead fans recently got some good, unexpected news. Sébastien Vaniček (Infested) is currently developing a spin-off set within the long-running franchise. While details remain scarce, the filmmaker has revealed some information on his vision for the film, as well as when cameras might begin rolling. If all goes well, we’ll have something to look forward to next Halloween. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
Vaniček recently spoke with the French outlet Konbini, with the folks at Bloody Disgusting translating some key bits of the interview. Firstly, the filmmaker explained that he intends to pull no punches. It sounds very much like he intends to go hard R with this one, seemingly hewing closer to the brutal tone of 2013’s Evil Dead as opposed to the horror/comedy blend of Evil Dead 2.
“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, 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!”
Speaking further, Vaniček said that “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.” Now, this is just what he hopes will happen. For the moment, no distribution plans have been solidified, no cast has been announced, and it’s far too early to start making 2025 Halloween plans. That having been said, that timeline seems very realistic and having an Evil Dead spin-off in theaters in time for spooky season next year would be quite the treat. We’ll have Saw XI this year. Why not some Deadites next year?
The filmmaker also mentioned that Sam Raimi, the director of the original trilogy, is giving him “100% creative freedom.” Perhaps most interesting of all, he also wants the film film to have a “French twist.” What does that mean, exactly? We’ll have to wait and see.
Raimi returned to the franchise last year alongside Bruce Campbell and Rob Tapert with the trio producing Evil Dead Rise. Directed by Lee Cronin and distributed by Warner Bros., the film was a huge hit and brought the franchise back from the dead very successfully. It did so by leaning on new characters and a new setting - namely a high rise in LA. It seems that convinced the powers that be to open up the universe a bit, and Vaniček appears to be taking full advantage of that.
The untitled Evil Dead spin-off does not currently have a release date, but stay tuned.
