It has been ten years since the last time THE EVIL DEAD creator Sam Raimi directed a horror movie (DRAG ME TO HELL, pictured above) and six years since he last directed a movie at all (OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL). Thankfully he has kept busy producing projects like EVIL DEAD 2013, DON'T BREATHE, CRAWL, and the upcoming GRUDGE reboot, and he did direct the first episode of the Ash vs. Evil Dead TV show, so he hasn't been entirely absent from the entertainment world.
Now The Hollywood Reporter has announced the great news that Raimi is set to direct a new feature, and it's one that's bringing him back into the horror genre once again.
Set up at Columbia Pictures, the project doesn't currently have a title, but the screenplay is being written by FREDDY VS. JASON and FRIDAY THE 13TH 2009's Mark Swift and Damian Shannon. The story is believed to be set on an island, and is being described as "MISERY meets CAST AWAY" in tone.
That's an interesting blend. I'm guessing that means someone is going to get stranded on an island with a psycho, but nobody's saying what the story actually is.
Raimi has been working on a Bermuda Triangle project with Shannon and Swift for Skydance, but it seems they got distracted by this other story of horror at sea along the way. Raimi had this to say about the new project:
I am thrilled to be reunited with Columbia Pictures and reteaming with [Sony Motion Picture Group president] Sanford [Panitch] and [Columbia executive vp production] Ange [Giannetti]. I have been a fan of Shannon and Swift and we have found the perfect adventure to share with the world."
Raimi will be producing the film through his company Raimi Productions, along with Zainab Azizi. Andrea Giannetti will be overseeing for Columbia.