Groovy. After some very brief teases spelling out a good bit of text but not a lot of footage, today we get our first official look at Ash (Bruce Campbell) back again after 23 years — that is, if you don’t count that post-credits tease at the end of 2013’s Evil Dead — in Starz‘ new original series “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” slated to begin its 10-episode season sometime this fall.
There’s not a whole hell of a lot you can really say about just a single image, but it’s worth noting this is the first official look and introduction to soon-to-be series regulars and fellow Value Shop employees, Pablo (Ray Santiago) and Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo). Both characters aid our titular character, as he returns to crank the chainsaw back on and fight a Deadite plague threatening to destroy all of mankind. Also signed on to star, but not featured in this image (see below), are Lucy Lawless and Jill Marie Jones.
In addition to this photo, we also get to hear from the main star and producer himself, Campbell, tell fans what they should expect to see from Ash’s television debut. Apparently not a lot has changed with our lead in the 20-or-so years since he’s been gone, as he still fulfills his days at the grocery store and “telling lies about how he lost his hand in bars late at night.” And while “he’s not really the guy who should be dealing with this right now,” someone has to do the job. So he’s the guy to do it.
It’s The Searchers with carnage and mayhem. I’m relegated a little bit into the John Wayne mode these days with my team — the young, virile, evil fighters who will pair up with Ash and take on this nemesis: this never ending, ever evolving nemesis.
Don’t worry, though. Ash is “still a really good monster fighter,” if original Evil Dead helmer Sam Raimi, also directing the “Ash vs. Evil Dead” pilot, may say so himself. Fans will have to judge that for themselves, though, whenever Ash comes back to the scene. For better or for worse, though, I’ll be watching.
I love me some Evil Dead, and enjoyed more than most this recent remake from just a few years ago. Most movies-turned-TV shows often earn mixed results, with some executed brilliantly like “I did end up watching it). Raimi and Campbell’s enthusiasm for their return to the property keeps me excited for this to come, though — probably more than I should be. Count me in. I’m ready to shop S Mart again.
Check out the photo below. [EW]
