Sam Raimi says there’s rooms for all sorts of Evil Dead movies – and he’s still hoping he’ll get to direct Bruce Campbell in another one

When the TV series Ash vs. Evil Dead came to an end, star Bruce Campbell said he was formally retiring from the role of Evil Dead franchise hero Ash, a character he had played in three films and three seasons of television over the course of forty years. There is a loophole, though: Campbell is still willing to provide the voice of the character, which is how we got his voicework on Evil Dead: The Game, and why there’s now hope that Ash vs. Evil Dead may be revived as an animated series. But franchise creator Sam Raimi is also still holding on to hope that he’ll get to direct Campbell as Ash in another movie.

Three years ago, Raimi said, “I would love to direct a new Evil Dead movie… but I’d really like to do it with Bruce. And he says he’s retired the character. I hope not.” In a new interview with Empire magazine, Raimi said something similar: “I love working with Bruce and (producer Rob Tapert). I love it as a producer because they’re really good partners, but I also like being supported by them as the director. So I hope that is on the cards eventually.“

In the meantime, Raimi handpicked Lee Cronin to write and direct the next Evil Dead movie, Evil Dead Rise, which is set to reach theatres on April 21st.

Also during the Empire interview, Raimi confirmed they had considered making a sequel to Fede Alvarez’s 2013 Evil Dead movie that would have seen heroine Mia (played by Jane Levy) team up with Campbell’s Ash. “That character, Mia, was great, so I was very interested. We had been talking about an Evil Dead IV for the other branch of that universe, and we were worried a little bit about a collision. Ash vs. Evil Dead is what that morphed into. But I always thought there was room for both. I still think there’s room for all sorts of Evil Dead movies. I don’t think they cancel each other out.“

So as the franchise continues, there’s a chance we could see an animated series, a follow-up to Alvarez’s movie, a follow-up to Cronin’s movie, something else entirely, and maybe even… if Campbell is willing… another Raimi / Ash movie. We’ll just have to wait and see.

HBO announces that The Last of Us season finale has drawn series high ratings of over 8 million viewers following its Sunday debut.

The Last of Us has proven to be an enormous success for HBO; not only is the series a riveting adaptation of the post-apocalyptic video game, but it’s brought in quite the audience. The Last of Us finale aired yesterday and set another ratings high for the series, with 8.2 million viewers across HBO Max and linear telecasts.

The ratings for The Last of Us have largely grown week-to-week. The series debuted with 4.7 million viewers, with the second episode jumping up to 5.7 million, which was the “largest week 2 audience growth for an HBO Original drama series in the history of the network,” according to HBO. With the finale bringing in 8.2 million, that represents a 75% increase in debut night viewing compared to the premiere.
 
The Last of Us Weekly Premiere Ratings:

• Episode 1 – 4.7 million (Jan. 15)
• Episode 2 – 5.7 million (Jan. 22)
• Episode 3 – 6.4 million (Jan. 29)
• Episode 4 – 7.5 million (Feb. 5)
• Episode 5 – 11.6 million (Feb. 10-Feb. 12)*
  *Early premiere, includes data from Friday to Sunday
• Episode 6 – 7.8 million (Feb. 19)
• Episode 7 – 7.7 million (Feb. 26)
• Episode 8 – 8.1 million (March 5)

HBO was quick to renew The Last of Us for a second season, and showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann recently discussed their approach to the next stage of the story, which doesn’t necessarily involve adhering to the game’s story all the time. “Our process works. Our process of kicking the tires on everything, our process of agreeing that no matter how much we disagree, we will find a way to agree,” Mazin said. “There’s no veto power here. No one gets his way, it’s ‘we will figure it out.’ And to keep the writing process roughly what it was, which is pretty solitary and monk-like … I think we will be a little more efficient in our process, which means we’ll have more time to do some more complicated things.“

The Last of Us series takes place “20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed by a deadly virus. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone to the Fireflies, a cure-searching organization. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.” You can check out a review of The Last of Us from our own Alex Maidy right here. What did you think of the recent finale?

Chicago Gaming Company announces new Pulp Fiction pinball machine developed with the involvement of Quentin Tarantino.

Of all the movie-inspired pinball machines out there, Pulp Fiction is perhaps one of the best-suited. Chicago Gaming Company has announced a new Pulp Fiction pinball machine that looks as though it would be perfectly at home at Jack Rabbit Slims.

The new Pulp Fiction pinball machine was developed at the request of Quentin Tarantino, who wanted a retro-style pinball machine for his home. The director was involved throughout the development of the machine, so you can be sure it’s full of all the easter eggs and tidbits one would expect. Check out a few pictures below of the Pulp Fiction pinball machine below, including a surprisingly delicious-looking Big Kahuna burger.

“Legendary pinball designer Mark Ritchie masterfully crafted a playfield which on its surface appears comparable to games from this era but outside of initial perception features more mechanisms and greater depth than most games produced today,” reads the official description of the machine. “David Thiel forcefully pulls the player into this world utilizing over 250 iconic lines from Pulp Fiction’s legendary cast, five licensed songs from the original movie soundtrack, and a number of original compositions. Josh Sharpe developed an approachable rule set that is both intuitive and deep enough to engage even the most skilled player. Scott Pikulski’s vintage inspired art package is both stunning and perfectly cohesive.“

There are several editions of the Pulp Fiction pinball machine to choose from, including the Bad Mother Flipper Limited Edition, which is limited to just 1000 machines. It includes a Jack Rabbit Slim’s topper, vintage speaker grill, interior mirror blades, shaker motor assembly, cast metal serialized medallion, Pulp Fiction promotional banner, and a certificate of authenticity signed by Mark Ritchie. It also offers an extended warranty, covering 12 months for mechanicals and 24 months for electronics.

The regular edition of the Pulp Fiction pinball machine will run you $7,999, with the limited edition going for $9,499. No word on when the machine will be released, as the trailer only mentions that it will be coming soon.

The Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall teases new songs for the upcoming live-action remake of the animated classic.

The full trailer for Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid dropped yesterday during the 95th Academy Awards, giving fans a taste of what’s to come. The original animated movie included some fantastic songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, which will be included in the live-action Little Mermaid, but there will also be a few new songs as well.

Alan Menken teamed up with Lin-Manual Miranda to pen a handful of new songs for The Little Mermaid, including For The First Time, which will play out while Ariel (Halle Bailey) experiences her new human appendages. “It’s about her experiences the moment she hits land,” The Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall told Empire. “We needed to create a number that could almost work as a montage, so we could take her through that experience – coming onto the land, what it’s like to put on shoes, have legs… Anybody who has a different experience, it’s wondrous and scary at the same time.” Marshall added that Bailey was the perfect choice to play the mermaid. “There was an innocence and a purity to [Halle] as well as having fire,” Marshall said. “It was this strange combination. And, of course, this magnificent voice.“

The Little Mermaid will tell “the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.“

The live-action remake stars Halle Bailey as Ariel; Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric; Javier Bardem as King Triton; Melissa McCarthy as Ursula; Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina; Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian; Jacob Tremblay as the voice of Flounder; and Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle. The Little Mermaid will hit theaters on May 26th.

Journey to the Center of the Earth VFX lead explains how Brendan Fraser went to bat for them when he found out they weren’t being paid.

It’s no secret that visual effects artists are frequently overworked and poorly compensated, which seems unfair when their work drives so many of these billion-dollar blockbusters. If you need another reason to love Brendan Fraser, you’ve come to the right place. Brendan Fraser starred in Journey to the Center of the Earth 15 years ago, but when he found out the VFX artists behind the movie weren’t being paid, he went to bat for them.

Dave Rand was the VFX lead on Journey to the Center of the Earth and took to Twitter to explain how the “righteous” Brendan Fraser helped them out.

#BrendanFraser is a righteous dude.

In November 2007 our paychecks stopped. I was the FX lead on #JourneyToTheCenterOfTheEarth for Meteor Studios in Montreal and was asked to convince my crew to stay and finish the picture with a guarantee we’d all get paid with overtime. We had… pic.twitter.com/1jegFlWECd

— Dave Rand (@daverandla) March 13, 2023

Dave Rand worked for Meteor Studios in Montreal at the time, but when their paychecks stopped coming, the studio asked him and his crew to stay and finish the movie, promising they would all get paid with overtime. “We had a handful of shots left,” Rand explained. “As soon as we delivered the last shot, we were escorted out. It was two weeks before Christmas and we’d soon learn there was no money. Meteor was declaring bankruptcy. They owed us 1.3 million dollars.” He took the story to Variety, but they didn’t want to touch it. Rand guessed that the studio had put pressure on them to bury it. He tried contacting Brendan Fraser directly, only for his “people” to say that they’d pass the information along to the actor. They didn’t.

Finally, the gossip section of The Post picked up the story, and one hour later… Rand got a call from Brendan Fraser.

My phone rang as I was reading the piece, a 212 area code, I answered to thank the girl, but a man answered and he said. “Is this Dave Rand?” I said “Yes”. “This is Brendan Fraser, what the fuck is going on?”

Brendan Fraser had no idea that the VFX artists hadn’t been paid and promised that he would keep in touch until things had been put right. “Brendan kept his promise, he publically campaigned for us,” Rand said. “We finally got 80% of our money almost 2 yrs later. To quote the great Steve Hulett : ‘What runs the world isn’t what’s right, or who’s the richest, it’s leverage, and who has it.’ We’d had none, but Mr Fraser gave us wings. He’s a righteous dude.” Indeed he is, and now he’s an Oscar-winning righteous dude.

We review John Wick: Chapter 4, the latest in the action-packed saga featuring Keanu Reeves, directed by Chad Stahelski

PLOT: The price on John Wick’s head has gone way up. Mr. Wick, however, has a plan to finally free himself from the High Table. Will he succeed with hired guns waiting around every corner?

REVIEW: John Wick has been going through some things. After Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the hitman had a price on his head. That’s what happens when you kill High Table crime lord Santino D’Antonio. If that wasn’t enough, his old friend Winstone (Ian McShane) shot him at the end of the previous film. The price has increased as we enter the thrilling new ground explored in John Wick: Chapter 4. Keanu Reeves and franchise regulars Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick, and Ian McShane are back. The fourth installment is directed by Chad Stahelski once again. And this wild chapter is written by Shay Hatten (who also co-wrote Parabellum) and Michael Finch. And it may be the most epic yet.

John Wick is in serious trouble. Every gun for hire is ready and willing to take the legend down six feet below. Mr. Wick, however, may have figured out how he could defeat the High Table. Which would bring him freedom once and for all. Until then, he must deal with a blind badass named Caine (Donnie Yen). As well as a fellow appropriately named Killa (Scott Adkins). The list also includes a mysterious man named Tracker (Shamier Anderson), and his adorable dog. To make matters even worse, the vindictive Marquis (Bill Skarsgard) wants to bring Wick down in a bad way. Will John Wick claim his freedom, or will he finally meet his match? Perhaps he’ll find his freedom with the help of a few loyal friends. That includes Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his daughter Akira (Rina Sawayama).

John Wick: Chapter 4 is one of the best action movies of the past few years. And if you’re wondering about the hefty runtime, don’t. I was curious about twenty minutes in if they could keep up the pace. They did, and then some. When this operatic flick finally ended, I was stunned that it was over. This incredible feature brings all the elements that worked before and gives the fourth film urgency and pulse-pounding thrills. Yes, this is a mesmerizing story. The characters are colorful. It features brilliant action sequences. And it offers a few intriguing big-screen baddies.

The action set pieces are utterly gorgeous. They run the gamut of bringing the audience into the wildly ambitious world. There’s a stunning fight at a nightclub. Hundreds of dancers are surrounding the brutality in this wild fighting. And yet another with a birds-eye view of the carnage happening below. There’s another chase on horseback and one with a car sans its doors. You’ll be cheering once Mr. Wick takes on that staircase with a host of baddies to battle. It’s no shock that the team behind 87Eleven Action can pull all this off. The detail in the fight choreography is sublime, as is the level of talent on-screen and off. Everyone deserves massive props, especially all the mind-blowing stunt work on display.

The inclusion of Scott Adkins and Hiroyuki Sanada is a treat. Shamier Anderson is also delightful, opposite another one of man’s best friends. Donnie Yen is mesmerizing here. The legendary action star brings charm, humor, and intensity to Caine. And then there is Mr. Skarsgard. He isn’t entirely on the level of the previously mentioned, stunt-wise. Yet, the actor excels at bringing a sense of glee to his cruelty. Keanu encapsulates Mr. Wick per usual and handles all that the filmmakers and stunt team throw at him. Mr. Reeves effortlessly continues to make Mr. Wick one of the most enigmatic characters of his career with these films.

As convoluted as this could be, it never feels that way. It’s easy to connect to who and what is on display. Like the previous films, the mythology is utterly compelling. It’s an accessible world for the viewer to engage. And yes, the film goes deeper into what has come before. They continue to create a wow factor with the impressive stunt work. And I’d hate to forget to mention the atmospheric score by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard. The fourth round of John Wick is something extraordinary. With so many memorable characters, it will be exciting to see what’s next.

John Wick one of the best modern franchises. And John Wick: Chapter 4 is likely to be one of the best films of 2023. Even with its extended runtime, every scene feels necessary to build this fantastic final act. And judging by the audience that surrounded me for the film, most attendees were equally blown away. Chad and the crew over at 87eleven Action Design deserve heaps of credit for this stunning fourth chapter. Everything about this flick works. It’s lovely to see yet another action film bring such integrity to the big screen. Don’t let the length fool you; John Wick: Chapter 4 may be the most exhilarating two-hour and thirty-eight minutes you’ll spend in theatres this year.

10

Corey Feldman and Sean Astin were among those who sent their congratulations to Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan, who played Data in The Goonies.

Hey, you guys, The Goonies star Ke Huy Quan just won an Oscar! And while he had a sweet moment with former Temple of Doom co-star Harrison Ford on the stage, several of his Goonies co-stars sent their love through social media.

For one, Corey Feldman (who played Mouth) posted a video of himself on Instagram as the Best Supporting Actor Oscar category came up, cheering on his Goonies co-star from home as the enveloped was opened. “WATCHING MY BROTHER @kehuyquan WIN THE OSCAR @theacademy AWARD 4 #BESTSUPPORTINGACTOR OMG!!!…I #LOVE U! I KNEW U COULD DO IT!!!” Feldman ended his extensive caption, “WE #LOVE U KE!! SO PROUD & HAPPY 4 U & ECCO. GOD BLESS BUDDY! NEVER 4GET!…#GOONIESNEVERSAYDIE.”