EXCLUSIVE: Sam Raimi Insists Bruce Campbell And He Will Be Back For A Fourth ‘Evil Dead’ Film

For a few years now, there’s been ample talk of revising the Sami Raimi helmed “Evil Dead” franchise with star Bruce Campbell telling MTV last Spring that a 4th installment of the horror-comedy film would not feature a younger sidekick to give it more contemporary juice as many sit-coms in the past have done so to desperately revive their ailing product. Back then, only a year ago Campbell was raring to go.

However, Campbell himself recently shed a little doubt on the project himself when he told the A/V Club that he felt there should be no more stories involving the Ash Williams protagonist he plays in the “Evil Dead” trilogy. “I think there should be an end to everything,” he responded when asked whether the character of Ash is worthy of more movies. “I mean, did anyone really want ‘Indiana Jones 4′? The answer is no. I’ve taken a poll in about seven theaters now. Of 300 people, three hands go up. You are bound to disappoint.”

Sounds like Campbell might have had enough, no?

However, speaking to Sam Raimi at SXSW on the eve of the premiere of his new film, “Drag Me To Hell,” the director didn’t seem worried in the least and in fact laughed off Campbell’s remarks and insisted the actor would still be onboard whenever they can find time to revisit the beloved cult and campy horror classics.

“He can dream all he wants. He’s trying to get out of getting back in shape,” he smiled. “I’m going to kick his butt in shape. I’m gonna say ‘get back in the chainsaw!’”

So we asked: was this a strong hint towards the future of the “Evil Dead” series? Will we see Raimi return to that world once more?

“I hope to, yes,” Raimi admitted. “Every time I say I would like to [revisit the films], people say, ‘where the hell is it!?!’ But I’m just glad people are still interested. But yes, I would really like to do [another ‘Evil Dead’ film]. I’ve just got a commitment to make ‘Spider-Man 4’ right now though.”

Could Ash Williams just have been pulling the Onion publication’s chain or just been in a mood? Raimi, who’s palpably fond of Campbell, says the actor is gruff on the outside, but a sweetheart at the end of the day. “He’s a really nice, but he pretends that he’s a really rough bastard,” he laughed.

Source: moviesblog.mtv.com - Rodrigo Perez