As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming release of Evil Dead Rise (you can read our comprehensive review right HERE), the esteemed rights holders of the Evil Dead franchise—Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert—have made it clear that they are enthusiastic about expanding this beloved series. Bruce Campbell recently shared their ambitious goal of producing a new sequel or spin-off every two to three years. Last year, they demonstrated their dedication to this vision by appointing Sébastien Vaniček, known for his work on the French horror film Vermin, also titled Infested, to both write and direct a fresh installment in the franchise, which is titled Evil Dead Burn. Recently, casting announcements have been made, with Dune: Part Two star Souheila Yacoub, a former rhythmic gymnast and winner of the Miss Suisse Romande beauty pageant, securing the lead role. She will be joined by talented actors such as Hunter Doohan (Your Honor), Luciane Buchanan (The Night Agent), and Tandi Wright (Pearl). While specific character details remain under wraps, Vaniček has confirmed via social media that filming has officially commenced!
Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema are set to give Evil Dead Burn a theatrical release on the significant date of July 24, 2026. This highly anticipated installment promises to continue the legacy of the franchise, ensuring fans have something to look forward to.
New Line Cinema, in collaboration with Sony Pictures, is co-financing this film, which Vaniček is directing based on a screenplay that he co-wrote with Florent Bernard. While Sony will handle international distribution, Canal Plus will manage the UK distribution, and Metropolitan will be responsible for the French market. Although specific story details about Evil Dead Burn are yet to be disclosed, Vaniček has expressed his excitement about having complete creative freedom with this project and aims to incorporate a unique French perspective into the narrative.
Sam Raimi, the original creator of the franchise, is producing the film alongside Rob Tapert, with executive producers including Romel Adam, Jose Canas, Lee Cronin, and Bruce Campbell himself. In a previous interview with AV Club, Bruce Campbell shared exciting insights about the direction of the franchise, stating, “It’s all about the books now. It has nothing to do with (franchise hero Ash) or any particular character. In Army of Darkness, we first saw three books. So we know there are three out there, and none of them are any good. It’s about: where does that darn book wind up, who gets it, and what happens? But the universe is the same. It’s about innocent people with no special skills having to fight for their very lives. … I think the stories will progress a little more now. We’re going to try and do them more like every two or three years rather than every 10 years. It’s also the first time Sam is working with his brother Ivan to create an overall Bible that will give future writers and directors an idea of where this thing should go next to potentially tie in some of these stories. So I think it’s going to get a little more tied in as the years go by. But because it’s all about the books. It could be a book in the past, a book in the future. It’s yet to be determined.“
Vaniček expressed his passion for the Evil Dead franchise to Variety, describing it as “like a creative playground, a bold laboratory for filmmakers eager to explore something raw, brutal, and deeply transgressive. I quickly expressed my ambition to bring something fresh and meaningful to this universe, to offer the franchise to an audience who isn’t familiar with Evil Dead and is in search of unique, immersive, and sensory experiences. My goal was to craft a powerful, singular – almost personal – story that could stand on its own, while still resonating deeply within the rich, complex world that Sam has built.” He aims to create a film that possesses “depth and nuance, something that feels uniquely ours, but that anyone can connect with. … The ambition remains the same as with Infested: to create a visceral, sensory experience that punches the audience in the gut. I want people to feel physically drained when they leave the theater, like they’ve been through an emotional and intense journey.“
Sam Raimi first made his mark in the film industry with his directorial debut, The Evil Dead, which introduced audiences to the iconic hero Ash Williams, portrayed by Bruce Campbell. Ash’s character has since appeared in Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, and the Ash vs. Evil Dead television series, all of which Raimi directed. After witnessing a short film directed by Fede Alvarez, the rights holders of the Evil Dead franchise entrusted him with the opportunity to direct Evil Dead (2013), a reboot that did not feature Ash. Following this, Lee Cronin was chosen to helm Evil Dead Rise, also an Ash-free entry, based on the strength of his debut feature, the 2019 film The Hole in the Ground. Thus, Sébastien Vaniček’s appointment to direct the next installment, right after his entry into the feature film world with Vermin / Infested, aligns perfectly with the franchise’s history of nurturing new talent.
It’s worth noting that Evil Dead Burn is not the sole project in the Evil Dead franchise currently under development. Shortly after Vaniček’s hiring, the rights holders also brought on board Francis Galluppi, who recently made his feature directorial debut with the crime thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County, to write and direct his own Evil Dead film. As for updates regarding this project, there has been little information released. Additionally, an animated series that will serve as a follow-up to Ash vs. Evil Dead is also in the pipeline.
Are you excited about the prospect of Evil Dead Burn? With filming now underway, we want to hear your thoughts! Share your excitement and opinions with us in the comments section below.
