Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d type: I cannot WAIT for The Evil Dead Remake to come out. As we’ve previously reported, the movie certainly seems to be wrapping up all the awesome into one big, bloody bag for us Evil Dead fans. Some of those lucky-as-hell fans over at NYCC were treated to a full-on trailer for the film itself! Unfortunately, as is the case with most Comic Convention rules for exclusives and whatnot, we can’t apprehend a full trailer to share with all of you, but we have the next best thing! A description of the full trailer, and a little bootleg teaser I managed to scramble up from YouTube. Firstly, here’s the description of the full trailer:
via [ScreenRant]
“Alvarez presents a washed-out palette that is simultaneously vibrant in its dark splendor. We got the basic setup of the film (kids going to a remote cabin so one of them can get back on good mental footing – only to stumble on a cursed book of the dead), and then we were treated to an intense sizzle reel trailer comprised of various horror/gore sequences – including PLENTY of homages to iconic moments from the franchise’s past. A few standout images were deadly vines, mechanized saws (of humorously varying sizes and types) being used in gross self-mutilation, the book of the dead, new designs for the actual evil dead creatures – and a climatic sequence where a possessed girl licks a jagged blade so hard it splits her tongue in half. Sick.”
The guy then goes on to describe in tantalizingly short detail, a seemingly awesome sound panel I wish I had been at to have seen. Oh wait a minute… I CAN! Thanks YouTube!
Here’s a description of some highlights:
- Campbell joked about doing the remake because, sometimes, “As middle-aged actors you realize that maybe it’s too late to strap on that chainsaw again.” He touts the filmmaking crew – approved by himself and Sam Riami – and claims that star Jane Levy is officially crowned the new Ash: “I’ll put that crown on her f–king head myself!”
- Fede Alvarez talks about Sam Raimi coming out of the blue over Skype and asking him to do the remake. He added that you don’t say no to a request like that (no matter how daunting) – you say, “F–k yeah!” He saw Evil Dead when he was 12, and wanted to recreate the same terrifying experience he went through.
- Jane Levy described auditioning as “the female Ash,” and having Bruce Campbell ask her all these scary questions afterward, like, “Do you know what it feels like to be buried alive?” or “Have you ever had tubes shoved down your throat so you can projectile vomit?” Campbell and Fede joked (we think) about putting Jane through the hard motions – with a little bawdy humor thrown in for (good?) measure.
- Bruce Campbell joked about not needing Easter eggs homages in the remake just to appease nerds. He described the movie experience to being like putting on a familiar-fitting shoe – only, you know, Evil Dead style (read: twisted, gross, nuts and a little bit funny).
- Audience members loved the footage. One described it as the sickest trailer he’d ever seen. Seeing the polished footage for the first time legitimately frightened star Jane Levy, who sat somewhat stunned for the Q&A.
- Bruce Campbell was shouted-out for his reoccurring cameos in Raimi’sSpider-Man trilogy; he pointed out that in Spider-Man 2, as the snooty usher, he prevented Peter Parker from attending MJ’s big performance – ergo making him ‘the only character who has successfully defeated Spider-Man.’ Cue audience laughter.
- Campbell was asked who’s smoother: Sam (from Burn Notice) or Ash: “Sam would win, but Ash would cheat.”
- Campbell explains Diablo Cody’s (Juno) involvement as Evil Dead co-writer: “We don’t know how young people talk – and she won a f–king Academy Award!” Perez said he got Cody because he wanted snappy dialogue to liven up the script. Campbell added (more seriously) that having Cody write for a female protagonist was a big bonus.
- Jane Levy pointed out that, while her name in the film is “Mia,” and not Ash, there is a hidden game in the names of the characters, as they form an amusing anagram that fans can decipher for themselves.
- After one fan pointed out that Campbell doesn’t get enough credit for Burn Notice, he personally approached the front of the stage and awarded her five dollars. He had history with this particular fan: the last time he met her, she burst into uncontrollable tears right in front of him. She was a little more composed this time around.
- Campbell says that while he doesn’t cameo, he’s in every frame of the film “in spirit.” He ended saying that he’s convinced Sam Raimi will keep fighting to make another (with Campbell in it) even until his deathbed days. His exit was as celebrated as his entrance.
You know, I try to think back of the time when I did think that the entire concept of an Evil Dead remake was an inherently bad thing, but I find myself wondering why I ever did. Sure, it could have gone bad in a bunch of different ways, but if there’s anything I have to thank those terrible Spider-Man movies for, it’s making Sam Raimi rich. Because it gave him the clout and the power to control and direct his franchises the way he wants, rather than some putrid company looking to exploit an established IP ala Friday The 13th, Nightmare On Elm Street, etc. I can honestly say that this is a film I’m very excited to not only see, but buy the dvd/blu-ray of, because you KNOW it’ll be packed with excellent extras, and possibly even commentary from Bruce Campbell himself. The original Evil Dead and its sequels hold a firm place in my heart, and this new movie looks to sit right next to it there, just waiting to become another in the pantheon of films made to be part of a drinking game.
Oh and one more thing, here’s that teaser trailer I found. You didn’t think I forgot did you? I know, I know, it says FAKE right on it but just watch it. It’s not.
Just that teaser is HOLY AMAZE-BALLS awesome, and the thought that the full on trailer could blow it away, just makes me all the more excited to finally see the flick. April 2013 can’t come soon enough!
Grizzly Bomb 