Starz resurrects Evil Dead

Sam Raimi classic zombie horror movie The Evil Dead is being resurrected as a TV series at US cable net Starz.

The project will reunite director Raimi with the other original filmmakers, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell.

Ash Vs. Evil Dead, as the series will be known, will run to 10 30-minute episodes and launch in 2015. Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Tom Spezialy write the series.

It will see Campbell reprising his role as Ash, now an aging lothario that has spent three decades avoiding responsibility following the horrors of The Evil Dead. However, after a plague threatens mankind, Ash is forced to face his demons – “personal and literal”, as producers say.

“Starz first worked with Sam and Rob on Spartacus, and we are thrilled to be back in business with them,” said Carmi Zlotnik, managing director of Starz. “With Sam writing and directing and Bruce Campbell returning to the screen, we are certain the show will give Evil Dead fans around the world the fix they’ve been craving.”

“Bruce, Rob, and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the next chapter in Ash’s lame, but heroic saga,” added Raimi, who will direct the first episode. “With his chainsaw arm and his ‘boomstick’. Ash is back to kick some monster butt. And brother, this time there’s a truckload of it.”

Raimi, Taipert and Campbell executive produce, with Ivan Raimi co-executive producing and Aaron Lam producing. Marta Fernandez is the exec in charge for Starz.

Starz retains all domestic and international rights.