For years we have been hearing about the remake to one of greatest cult classics of all time. For a while there, I thought it wasn’t going to happen, and had a sigh of relief. Now with all the horror remakes out there being made, and the recent talks last month from Sam Raimi himself, it is only a matter of time that ‘The Evil Dead’ will be remade.
Remember a couple of years ago when Ashton Kutcher was going to be the lead? That wasn’t as frustrating as hearing that Seann William Scott was also rumored to be cast as ‘Ash.’ (Really, “Stifler?”)
Recently, I have been hearing rumors that Wes Bentley is now up for the role to play the legendary chain saw wielding Candarian demon killer, and I can not take anymore disappointing rumored casting news anymore!
Casting ‘Ash’ is not an easy thing to do. Many believe (I am one of them) that Bruce Campbell is ASH. No one else can play him. That’s why so many ‘Evil Dead’ fans have been furious about hearing about this movie being remade. This is not like remaking ‘Friday the 13th’ and putting some stunt person in a mask. The person who plays ‘Ash’ must display the same charisma, humor, and strength that Bruce Campbell has put into the role.
If the remake is inevitable, why not cast someone who is going to do Bruce Campbell justice? The only good (known) replacement in my eyes is Nicholas ‘Xander Harris’ Brendon. Why is this you might ask?
a) The man’s mannerisms are almost identical to Mr. Bruce Campbell. Out of all the actors rumored to play Ash, he is the only one who I feel can display the same amount of humor, slapstick, and strength into the role. The others are either too goofy or too serious to play considered to play Ash
b) Not only does he act like Bruce Campbell, he also has an uncanny physical resemblance to him as well.
c) Nicholas Brendon was apart of another horror cult phenomenon. (‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’) Casting him will not only get ‘Evil Dead’ fans in the theatres, but also will get ‘Buffy’ fans as well. (That’s a HUGE fan base right there!)
d) Doesn’t he deserve it? Nicholas Brendon has gone into B-star obscurity and to being a regular guest star on prime television. He shouldn’t be second banana anymore. He has star potential.
Anyways, I know this will cause a lot of discussion, and hopefully this gets to ‘Ghost House Pictures.’ I just wanted to write this in hopes that other fans feel the same way. If you do, make yourself known! Let’s hope I don’t have to write a future new story about an A-list actor being miscast as Ash.
What are your thoughts?
For many years I have hoped for another sequel to evil dead or even a remake and through all that time i have always thought that if bruce campbell didnt take the job that Nicholas Brendon would have been perfect for the role of ash LOL for a time i even believed that Nicholas was just Bruce’s secret love child, they look and talk and act just the same they are great hopefully one day there will be another and one of them will step up and take the role of ash either would be great in my Necronomicon (in my book)
Agreed, he would make the perfect Ash, which is exactly why he won’t be cast as him. (Hollywood has the most annoying habit of casting bad actors almost on purpose).
Or NOT!
Any Evil Dead remake as done by the original ED team cannot have another actor filling in the shoes of ASH, I recall reading that a new ED wouldn’t have an ASH, but be a different take and if that’s what I’m getting from ED that’s what I’d prefer because there is only one ASH and that’ BRUCE CAMPBELL. I would prefer my ED4 and have Sam Raimi working with Bruce Campbell again.
Or NOT!
Any Evi Dead remake as done by the original ED team cannot have another actor filling in the shoes of ASH, I recall reading that a new ED wouldn’t have an ASH, but be a different take and if that’s what I’m getting from ED that’s what I’d prefer because there is only one ASH and that’ BRUCE CAMPBELL. I would prefer my ED4 and have Sam Raimi working with Bruce Campbell again.
Whoever is behind the remake should be tortured and burned and have their eyes torn out and their hands chopped off and should never ever be allowed to work on movies ever again. Whoever’s idea this is can remake my shit and then eat it with a spoon. At this point I almost wish Hollywood would just fall into the sea already. After Jones IV comes out.
Well, from what I know Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert own the rights to The Evi Dead trilogy, which is one of the reasons that the shitty Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash movie never happened. Now, unless they are going to dick over a good friend that help build the franchise, I’d like to think that Bruce has some say in the matter.
Well, from what I know Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert hold the rights to The Evil Dead, thats why we didn’t get the shitty Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash film. So, unless they’re going to dick over a good friend, that help build the franchise, I’d like to think he has some say in the matter.
Hey Grundy,
As much as I hope you are right, I do think we will see a remake in the future. I know in the summer Bruce Campbell went on the record that the Ash character will be omitted and then he also said the remake is kaput…but just last month there was talks about the remake and the casting rumors of Ash again just last month.
It’s inevitable…and because of that, I just wanted to suggest my perfect casting role…just in case. You never know…. :)
Hey Grundy,
No, Campbell has no say in it. He does not hold the rights to either the franchise (Evil Dead) nor the characters within it.
I LOVE Bruce, but he has no say (unless those who hold the rights choose to take his input into consideration) into the Evil Dead franchise. If the rights holders choose to do an Ash movie, there is nothing Bruce can say or do about it.
What Tobor said.
That said, I don’t think a remake will happen, (it would be just cashing in on a name) and while I’d rather see an Evil Dead 4, if the chin were recast, I’d lean towards Nick Brendon…but I’d rather see him in other things.
However, what I about to say is not going to popular. An actor need not look 100% like Bruce Campbell. In fact, the idea of Sean Wm Scott? I can see where that could apply. I mean, I forgot about Stifler in “Rundown” and especially “Evolution”. Scott is the kind of actor that does not mind if his character takes some abuse. I’m not saying if a remake were on tap, he should be Ash. I’m saying he can do it. But like Brendon, I’d like to see him in other films.
It’s all a bunch of hooey anyway. This thing will never happen.
And don’t get me started on Jason vs Freddy vs Ash either.
In fact dammit
H’wood just gimmie another Candyman flick and lets call it a day.
It’s old but still, he’s in on the producing, so he has a say.
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=22791
But, again the chances of it getting made are about the same as a fourth Evil Dead getting made. Which is to say pretty fucking slim.
actually john, he was the exec. producer of the original and producer/co-prod. on the others.
he’s part owner of the series.
Hey Grundy,
You said:
“Also, if the remake does ever happen. Ash is not going to be in it, Bruce would only signed off on the remake, if his character was omitted.”
What does Bruce have to do with it? Bruce Campbell has ZERO say in what happens with the Evil Dead franchise. He’s just an actor.
Also, if the remake does ever happen. Ash is not going to be in it, Bruce would only signed off on the remake, if his character was omitted.
I whole heatedly agree! As an avid Evil Dead and Buffy fan, this is a f-ing great idea. Couldn’t have put the reasons better myself. I’m not too keen on an Evil Dead remake unless A) it’s Raimi supervised, and B) it’s got Nicholas Brendon.
My thoughts?
Here are my thoughts: DON’T REMAKE THE FUCKING MOVIE!
i don’t know if a remake is in order. what about ‘the next gen’?
NB would be good as ash’s son, ash jr.
now that would be great fun.
Great Idea, have ash and ash jr in the next sequel. It could start a whole new trilogy. This way we still get Bruce, and some new blood in the series…
ah ha! that would work for me.
I dont want them to remake it, but we all know hollywood is having remake fever, so xander would work for me, but id rather see ED4
You do know the remake is pretty much dead in the water. It ain’t happening anytime soon.
Hey Marina,
Thanks for compliment! I’m glad most people on the board see that N.B. would be the perfect choice too. I don’t want to see an Evil Dead Remake, but it’s going to happen. I think cast Nicholas Brendon would not cause fury amongst Evil Dead Fans… :)
There is one Buffy episode in which Xander ends up having his personality split into two Xanders. In this episode, he reminds more of Bruce Campbell than anyone ever has, anywhere. I think this is a great idea! Brendon has slapstick and goofy written all over him.
I have to say, that’s an excellent casting suggestion! Good job Serena!
Thanks guys for all the comments! Ryan, you are right about Bruce Campbell’s acting in the series. Bruce Campbell grew as an actor…(you can tell from ‘Bubba-Ho-Tep) but when he started he wasn’t a very good actor…and even he has admitted that. The actor playing Ash doesn’t need to be the greatest thespian in the world, he just has to be great playing ‘ASH.’
I do think Nicholas Brendon has what it takes…I just recently saw him in a horror film with Adrienne Barbeau, and he did a fine job in his role.
I 100% agree with a-c. Though not sure about d, right now I cannot imagine anyone else coming close. So you got my vote!
+1
Wow! I never noticed how much he looks like Bruce!
Evil Dead 2 was the Evil Dead remake. We don’t need another! Please stop with the horror movie remakes! They are purely economically driven with no affection for the genre. Once again Hollywood misses the point! The best horror films were created with very little money. The filmmaker needed to rely on creativity and passion. That’s what makes them great.Not big budgets and big names.
I’m a little confused about why John thinks acting talent is needed to play Ash. Have you ever seen a Campbell movie John?!
I love them to death but Bruce’s acting chops sure as hell weren’t what made it good.
I love Nicholas Brendan I think he’d make an awesome Ash
thumbs up for nicholas brandon as ash. I couldnt picture anyone else in that role if a remake(ugh) HAS to happen. My friends and I have been talking about this for a while now..and no one else fits. Wes Bently? seriously? come on now…
I 100% agree with you Serena. I’ve been telling all by friends she should be Ash for years.
First glance at the picture and I thought that I was looking at Milo Ventimiglia. Now HE would be a cool Ash if they had to remake this.
Brendon in a remake/prequel/reboot,not a sequel would work for me.
I’ve got to disagree. I don’t think he’d be a very good Ash… or a very good anything. I don’t think he’s much of an actor at all, and certainly not deserving of the Ash mantel. Get someone who can actually act with some talent to play the part.
I don’t know. Nicholas Brandon, huh? Well I never would have thought, but now that you mention it… hmmm … yes. Yes I can see that. He is known well enough for his role on Buffy, yet the “B-list obscurity” is something that COULD work in his favour. As far as Evil Dead 4? Well, why? Why do Evil Dead 4? We don’t NEED a remake of Evil Dead, sure, but why do another sequel? Give me a solid reason WHY there should be a sequel with all the games that are practically sequels anyway.
It would be interesting to see how they could do a remake let alone a sequel. I think there is a certain magic in the way the first two evil dead films worked that might not translate well to a remake, but DEFINITELY would not work in a sequel.
If they do reake Evil Dead then Brendon has to be ASh, i have been saying that for years. But the question is should they remake it
My thoughts are your insane.
Don’t cast anyone as Ash in a EVIL DEAD-remake.
Don’t do a remake full stop.
Just do an EVIL DEAD 4 with the man-god himself, his highness Bruce Campbell.
This remake will suck and the fanboys will go apeshit over this and rightly so.