SXSW 2013: First EVIL DEAD Remake Reactions; Director Fede Alvarez Announces Sequel Plans
Sony Pictures and FilmDistrict are prepping to release the upcoming remake of the cult classic horror film Evil Dead, starring Shiloh Fernandez and Jessica Lucas, in theaters this April.
Often imitated, never equaled. Evil Dead was the horror movie that started it all. Now, after 30 years, Sam Raimi and the original creators are passing the reins of their beloved classic to Alvarez. In this retelling, five friends hole up at a remote cabin where they discover a Book of the Dead. A demonic force is unleashed possessing each until only one is left to fight for survival.
Evil Dead made its premiere at the SXSW Film Festival to a wave of positive reception (and a few negative comments). After the screening, original Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell took the stage with director Fede Alvarez, who stated, news from director @fedalvar at SXSW : "I guess this is an official announcement: We are already writing Evil Dead 2." Here are a few of the first reactions from the film to hit Twitter from tonight's screening:
Not sure I can tweet something about @evildead that doesn't sound like a wannabe poster quote. Here: it's fucking great.
— Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) March 9, 2013
EVIL DEAD: That's Entertainment. Raggedly amputates the goofy humor from the original, drenches the rest in blood, adrenaline.
— James Rocchi (@jamesrocchi) March 9, 2013
Evil Dead just soaked @sxsw in oceans of blood and creative gore, and the crowd could not have been happier. I won't sleep for days.
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) March 9, 2013
EVIL DEAD is not that good. Super gory, not good. #sxsw
— Devin Faraci (@devincf) March 9, 2013
EVIL DEAD out-EVIL DEADs THE EVIL DEAD. The ultimate experience in grueling terror like whoa.
— Matt Singer (@mattsinger) March 9, 2013
The two women behind me walked out of EVIL DEAD midway because it was too intense. "I can't handle this" was the line I heard.
— Matt Singer (@mattsinger) March 9, 2013
#EvilDead - Just plain bananas. I miss Bruce & tone of Raimi's orig. Over the top @ times. But new ver def delivers gory goods. Solid B
— Garrick Dion (@GareRick) March 9, 2013
EVIL DEAD left me shaking, partially from fear and mostly from the insane violence.Holy shit.#sxsw
— Matt Goldberg (@MattGoldberg) March 9, 2013
Still on an EVIL DEAD buzz. There are some "Holy shit" moments that I frankly don't know how they got away with.
— Alan Cerny (@NordlingAICN) March 9, 2013
And the score for EVIL DEAD is batshit insane. It's the music Cthulhu jams to when he's driving on the beach with the top down.
— Alan Cerny (@NordlingAICN) March 9, 2013
Directed by Fede Alvarez, who wrote the script with Rodo Sayagues and Diablo Cody, Evil Dead stars Jane Levy (Suburgatory) as Mia; Shiloh Fernandez (Deadgirl, Red Riding Hood) as David; Lou Taylor Pucci (Carriers) as Eric; Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield) as Olivia; and Elizabeth Blackmore (Legend of the Seeker) as Natalie. Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell (who also starred in the original franchise) and Sam Raimi are on board as producers. Sony Pictures has scheduled Evil Dead to hit theaters on April 5th, 2013.
