Bruce Campbell on 45 Years of Evil Dead

Bruce Campbell, the actor who played Ash Williams across four decades, has expressed a personal problem with the recent direction of the Evil Dead franchise, saying the films have become too grim and have left behind the humor that defined the original series. Speaking to Men's Journal, Campbell said, "The three features have been mostly humorless, and I personally have a problem with that. There's no point for these to get too grim. You can be scary without being grim. A little more humor wouldn't kill you. And one hero that you really can root for. Ash is an idiot, but you want him to survive."

The 45th anniversary of the first Evil Dead film has prompted Campbell to reflect on the franchise's history. In interviews with PauseRewind and other outlets, he noted that he was 21 years old during the first film and continued playing Ash until the TV series Ash vs Evil Dead, when he was pushing 60. He called the longevity "pretty rare" for an actor, comparing it to "Star Wars territory." He also mentioned his lifelong friendships with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, saying, "We're still in business, still partners."

Campbell also recalled that the first Evil Dead was not designed to be a franchise. In his words, "Ash is dead at the end of the first Evil Dead," but after their second film, Crime Wave, bombed, they decided to resurrect the character. He explained, "We thought, well, maybe Ash didn't die. Maybe he was caught in a malevolent force. And we start the movie all over again."

The franchise has since spawned two direct sequels, a TV series, and a 2013 reboot that launched a new branch. This new branch has included Evil Dead Rise and this year's Evil Dead Burn. According to Campbell, a third film in this new branch, Evil Dead Wrath, is scheduled for a 2028 release. Campbell is listed as an executive producer on the project.

A Call for More Humor and Visual Clarity

Campbell's critique extends beyond tone. He joked about the "garage lighting" common in modern horror, suggesting that horror films can look beautiful before things go wrong. He also argued that when blood appears on screen, it should actually look red—a nod to the stylized gore of the original films.

His comments, widely shared by fans and outlets, have sparked discussion about the franchise's evolution. While some have embraced the darker, more violent direction, Campbell's perspective carries weight given his history with the series. As one outlet put it, "In my opinion, he's dead right."

The Road Ahead for Evil Dead

Campbell's involvement with Evil Dead Wrath suggests he remains invested in the franchise's future, even as he steps back from the role of Ash. He had "high hopes" for the new film after seeing director Francis Galluppi's The Last Stop in Yuma County, as reported by CinemaBlend. The upcoming installment is described as a prequel.

Meanwhile, Campbell is promoting his new independent film, Ernie & Emma, which he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. He also announced an 18-city tour beginning September 4 at the Alamo Drafthouse in Los Angeles.

As the Evil Dead franchise moves forward, Campbell's comments serve as a reminder of the balance between horror and humor that made the original films iconic. Whether the next installment heeds his advice remains to be seen.