Bruce Campbell has reaffirmed that he has retired from playing Ash Williams in the Evil Dead franchise, clarifying comments made amid the release of a new trilogy of films. The actor, who originated the role in Sam Raimi's 1981 cult classic and last played him in Starz's Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–18), said he "tapped out" after that series due to both declining ability and waning interest, adding he did not want the character to be undermined by a "borderline Geezer" playing him.

Campbell, who revealed a cancer diagnosis in March 2026, explained that the franchise has since moved away from the cabin setting, Sam Raimi and Ash himself, noting that 2023's Evil Dead Rise proved this new direction could still succeed, having earned $147 million, the most of any film in the series. He said reaching new audiences meant accepting that some original fans, drawn to him, Raimi and Ash specifically, would be left behind. The franchise continues with this summer's Evil Dead Burn, directed by Sébastien Vaničzek, and Francis Galluppi's upcoming Evil Dead Wrath, due April 2028.