Overview
- Campbell said Sunday that he has “tapped out” after Ash vs Evil Dead and does not plan to return to playing Ash Williams.
- He revealed an earlier cancer diagnosis this year and said treatment has forced him to cut back on appearances, conventions and new acting work.
- Campbell remains a franchise steward with executive-producer credits on Evil Dead Rise (2023), Evil Dead Burn (2026) and the upcoming prequel Evil Dead Wrath (scheduled April 7, 2028).
- The actor has publicly criticized recent entries for favoring relentless grimness over the series’ trademark dark humor and said he would like future films to restore some levity and a clear hero to root for.
- The Evil Dead franchise has continued successfully without Ash or Sam Raimi, with recent films finding strong box-office returns and the studio pressing ahead with new creative teams and a 2028 prequel.