It looks like it’s officially the end of a horror era as the man, the myth, the legend that is Bruce Campbell has confirmed that he has put down the chainsaw and metal hand for the last time and will be fighting the Evil Dead’s Deadites no more.
In a new interview, the star revealed that he thinks the Evil Dead series has moved on and Ash has officially stood down, saying: “No, no. I think I think basically from Evil Dead Rise on, Ash is … you know, they wanted some little gag of Ash at the end of the movie. We did that as a lark.
“He’s not part of any big overriding story or scheme.” He’s probably referring to the recording played by Danny in Evil Dead Rise in which we can clearly hear Campbell’s voice shouting: “It’s called the Book of the Dead for a reason!” You can read the full details below:
Evil Dead Rise cameo may have pathed the way for Bruce Campbell to return as Ash Williams…
Going on, Campbell talks about the new movies in the series, saying that they have such up the foundations of the Evil Dead series and it’s allowed the story to move forward: “[The new movies have] 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.
“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.
“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. They like me and Sam and Ash and all that sort of crap.”
Now, to be clear, Campbell, who is 67 now and has played the famous anti-hero Ash Williams for 45 years, ever since the first Evil Dead in 1981, has said before that he was done playing Ash, but then hinted he would return if the situation arose and, in fact, not that long ago, he revealed that an animated Evil Dead series was in the works, and he was to lead again as Ash, saying: “We are developing an animated version, like a series. I’ll do that. I’ll do Ash’s voice all day long because my voice hasn’t aged as much as I have.”
So, while it’s unclear if this new announcement by the star draws a line under future voice work, be it games or animation.
It’s hard not to imagine that the star’s recent revelation that he is suffering from an “incurable” but “treatable” cancer is playing a part in this new declaration. In March, he said of the diagnosis: “Fear not, I am a tough old son-of-a-bitch, and I have great support, so I expect to be around a while. As always, you’re the greatest fans in the world, and I hope to see you soon!”
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I loved the last two Evil Dead movies, but I loved too that they both hinted at and Ash Williams’ return, telling us that no matter how bad the Deadite threat got, Ashy slashy was still out there, waiting to save us as only he can and, while I will still be excited for Evil Dead movies without Campbell involved, the Evil Dead will always be Ash Williams battling the undead in his unique chaotic style and nothing will ever change that.
I hope we see Ash again, but above all, I hope and pray that Campbell is healthy and looking after himself, no matter what.
Evil Dead Burn unleashes the franchise’s most savage and terrifying ride to date, blazing onto big screens with an all-new chapter of carnage and demonic mayhem. After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws in their secluded family home. As one by one they are transformed into Deadites—turning the gathering into a family reunion from hell—she comes to discover that the vows she took in life live on… even in death.
Evil Dead Durn stars Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Errol Shand, George Pullar, Maude Davey and Greta Van Den Brink.
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The film is directed by Sébastien Vaniček and written by Florent Bernard & Sébastien Vaniček. It is produced by Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi. The executive producers are Romel Adam, Bruce Campbell, Lee Cronin and Jose Canas.
Vaniček is joined behind the camera by director of photography Philip Lozano, production designer Nick Connor, editor Maxime Caro and costume designer Sarah Voon.
New Line Cinema and Screen Gems present a Ghost House Pictures production, Evil Dead Durn, unleashed into UK & Irish cinemas by Studiocanal on 10 July 2026.
Source: Deadline
Marc
Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….
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