Bruce Campbell Wants Evil Dead to Reclaim Its Sense of Humor

Bruce Campbell says he’s finished playing Ash Williams, closing the door on the chainsaw-wielding hero who helped make The Evil Dead a horror staple more than four decades ago. Campbell confirmed in a recent interview with Screen Rant that he will not return as Ash in live action or animation. The actor played the character in Sam Raimi’s original Evil Dead trilogy and later returned for the Starz series Ash vs. Evil Dead. “Ash is done,” Campbell said. “I’m not going to do any animated voice work.” Campbell added that producers could use a soundalike if they want Ash back. “They can get Joe Ash soundalike. There are ways to recreate my voice now,” he said, referring to technology that can copy or imitate a performer’s voice. The remarks appear to end long-running talk about an animated follow-up to Ash vs. Evil Dead. Campbell had previously shown interest in voicing Ash again, even after he retired from playing the role in live action following the show’s 2018 finale. That opening now appears closed. It is a clear break for a franchise that has spent years moving away from the cabin, Ash, and Raimi’s original formula. The newer films have found box office success, but they have als...