‘Evil Dead Rise’ Will ‘Knock People’s Socks Off,’ According to Sam Raimi

Sam Raimi owes so much of his career to the Evil Dead movies. The director introduced the world to the never-ending battle between Ashley J. Williams (Bruce Campbell) and the Deadites in 1981. And that original classic — along with its two sequels — remain beloved by legions of horror fans the world over. But just because Raimi isn’t directing his signature horror franchise anymore doesn’t mean he takes issue with its continuing in others’ hands.

Sam Raimi will not direct the upcoming 2022 release ‘Evil Dead Rise’

Though Raimi hasn’t directed an Evil Dead movie since Army of Darkness, he remains an integral part of the crew behind the scenes. Such was the case when director Fede Álvarez stepped in to make the 2013 reboot starring Jane Levy. And Raimi’s guidance is likely a part of why that film was mostly warmly accepted by franchise fans.

So even though 2022’s Evil Dead Rise doesn’t have Raimi directing, fans have reason to trust it will deliver. The movie — directed by Lee Cronin (The Hole in the Ground) — centers on a pair of sisters whose reunion is disrupted by, naturally, a mysterious book that conjures evil spirits. And Raimi recently hyped up what fans can expect to see.

Sam Raimi promises fans a ‘terrifying’ addition to the horror series

Raimi is, of course, back at the helm of a Marvel movie 15 years after Spider-Man 3. And in an interview with Slashfilm to promote Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the director touched base about what Evil Dead Rise, revealing a bit about the movie’s status.

“I’ve seen a rough cut [of Evil Dead Rise], a medium fine cut, and a fine cut. There’s probably a few changes that Lee Cronin is making that I haven’t seen, but it’s great. It’s terrifying and it’s going to knock people’s socks off. … [The Hole in the Ground] was brought to the executives that I work with and they showed it to me and I thought this is really a great director. And we met and we talked and he said he really liked The Evil Dead. And I said, ‘Then why don’t you make the new one? I think you’re just the kind guy I’d like to do it.'”

Although a release date for the film has yet to be announced, Raimi confirms Cronin — along with Campbell, who serves as a producer — are working on the post-production sound. So it sounds like Evil Dead fans won’t have long to wait to find out when they’ll get some more Deadite action.

‘Evil Dead’ fans also get a new video game coming out in 2022

Evil Dead Rise isn’t the only new project coming from the franchise in 2022. While it’s far from the first video game based on the movies, Evil Dead: The Game seems like it will be the most immersive. The movie lets players control Ash and countless other characters from Raimi’s trilogy as well as Ash vs. Evil Dead.

Raimi continues to be an integral part of the franchise despite no longer directing any more movies. But perhaps after the Doctor Strange sequel, he’ll make a return to his horror roots. After all, Drag Me to Hell was his first directorial effort following the blockbuster success of Spider-Man 3.