FROM SPLASH PAGE: As we reported last week, much about "Spider-Man 4" is still in flux: Gary Ross is currently hard at work on a draft of the script after getting notes from director Sam Raimi and they claim they're still figuring out which villain makes the most sense to compliment Peter Parker's character growth in the picture. What's more, beyond the return of franchise stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, few decisions about the cast have been made.

All of which makes comments that Raimi's buddy Bruce Campbell made last month extremely interesting, when he told Access Hollywood he'd have a major role in the new film.

When MTV News had a chance to talk to Raimi, of course we needed to know if Campbell was speaking the truth. After sneaking into cameos in the first three "Spider-Man" flicks, has the "Evil Dead" star really nabbed a major part in the fourth installment?

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Sam Raimi Confirms Bruce Campbell Will Have 'Meaty Role' In 'Spider-Man 4'

Contributed by Rodrigo Perez

For a few years now, there’s been ample talk of revising the Sami Raimi helmed “Evil Dead” franchise with star Bruce Campbell telling MTV last Spring that a 4th installment of the horror-comedy film would not feature a younger sidekick to give it more contemporary juice as many sit-coms in the past have done so to desperately revive their ailing product. Back then, only a year ago Campbell was raring to go.

However, Campbell himself recently shed a little doubt on the project himself when he told the A/V Club that he felt there should be no more stories involving the Ash Williams protagonist he plays in the “Evil Dead” trilogy. "I think there should be an end to everything,” he responded when asked whether the character of Ash is worthy of more movies. “I mean, did anyone really want 'Indiana Jones 4'? The answer is no. I've taken a poll in about seven theaters now. Of 300 people, three hands go up. You are bound to disappoint."

Sounds like Campbell might have had enough, no?

However, speaking to Sam Raimi at SXSW on the eve of the premiere of his new film, “Drag Me To Hell,” the director didn’t seem worried in the least and in fact laughed off Campbell’s remarks and insisted the actor would still be onboard whenever they can find time to revisit the beloved cult and campy horror classics.

"He can dream all he wants. He's trying to get out of getting back in shape,” he smiled. "I'm going to kick his butt in shape. I'm gonna say 'get back in the chainsaw!'" Read more...

Two weeks ago, director Sam Raimi shocked Comic-Con with a declaration that "Evil Dead" would rise again. So when can we start salivating with anticipation?

"When he's ready, I'm ready," star Bruce Campbell told MTV News.

While nothing remains written or planned, Campbell and Raimi have actually discussed the long-anticipated movie at length, the man with the million dollar chin insisted, saying that they already have a basic idea of where to take Ash, the poor S-Mart clerk who's already narrowly survived three adventures - the last of which, "Army of Darkness," got released in 1992.

Part of that plan, naturally, involves accounting for the fact that the last "Evil Dead" movie got released in 1992. Read more...

Sure, there are always plenty of guys in Spider-Man and Venom tights every year, practicing their acrobatics in the hallways at San Diego’s Comic-Con. But whenever A-list director Sam Raimi comes to the annual convention, one costume impresses him more than any other.

“There’s guys dressed up as Ash!” he marveled, making reference to the star character from the movies that put him on Hollywood’s radar more than twenty-five years ago. “That’s great. Wow. I’m honored that they’re still imitating Bruce’s character from the “Evil Dead” movies.”

Read more...