Sébastien Vaniček and the new Evil Dead: “I want to do a James Cameron-style move on Aliens”

The Vermin director has been hired to write and shoot the new Evil Dead movie. He tells us behind the scenes of this totally crazy development.

First: The last time we spoke, you told me that you were a little afraid of losing creative control of your films in Hollywood, despite tempting offers. What made you change your mind?
Sébastien Vaniček: After a few meetings with American studios, I quickly saw that I was going to be forced. My creative freedom was not central to them, and I could see that I did not have a huge importance for the project. Whether it was me or another director, it didn’t change much in their eyes. And then I had an interview with Ghost House Pictures (Sam Raimi’s production company), during which I felt a real interest in my way of working. When people talk to me about my film, I immediately emphasize the fact that it is a joint effort, and that it is essential for me to work with my teams. And when you say that to Americans, it quickly gets sorted out! The Ghost House team really wanted to work with me, in my own way. And when they suggested that I think about a film evil Dead, I set my requirements: shoot with my technicians, do post-production in France, write the screenplay… It was good, it was their idea that it be a 100% original film, of which I would have total control. Sam Raimi is a producer who is very protective of the vision of the people he works with. We could see it with the last evil Dead And Don’t Breathe, For example. Films by young directors, who took their first steps in Hollywood for the occasion. Many signals were green. So, when they officially made the proposal, I managed to have guarantees.

You immediately asked them to write with Florent Bernard, with whom you had co-written Vermin ?
Yes, and it was no problem for them. They didn’t have a script or synopsis to offer me. They told me : “You know our universe and our specifications, what story would you imagine for evil Dead ” I gave my first ideas to Florent and we started writing. When I finally went to Los Angeles, I had a 15-page file under my arm with drawings, exactly what I had done for Vermin. I put this on the table and told them this is what our evil Dead to Florent and me. They fell for it. They had obviously received other proposals, but nothing had taken place.

You told our colleagues to Konbini that the main character will be French. Which means that the plot could take place elsewhere than in the United States?
No matter what, they never tour in the United States but in New Zealand. THE evil Dead are often behind closed doors, which allows the whole world to identify. For the moment – and I hope this will not change – the main character speaks in English but is actually French, and finds himself surrounded by American characters. But I absolutely want to keep my French DNA.

All things considered and in all humility, I want to make a move a la James Cameron on Aliens. That is to say, we know that this evil Dead is mine, that it bears my signature. My career goal is to make films that speak in my name, films where people recognize my touch. I don’t want to get lost in a franchise and just make a evil Dead moreover. It really needs to stand out from the crowd. It’s all dizzying and a little scary, I’m not going to lie to you (Laughter.) But frankly, I’m going there with confidence.

Alexandre Aja was a guide for you in the United States. Did you discuss this project a lot with him?
Not on the creative level but on what it means to work with the Americans. He taught me to be careful. He himself has already worked with Sam Raimi and Ghost House, and he loved the experience. So his advice was valuable. He told me to go for it and that I had the skills to go to the United States without getting lost. I don’t want to become “the French director who goes to the US”: my goal is to bring France back there, but also to bring a little bit of the United States back home.

I have other 100% French films in the works, which could really benefit from an American contribution. And I’m lucky that they are interested in my projects, in our country, in our legends… There is a bridge that is being built between our two countries, and that I really want to exploit in the future.

A French director will take over Evil Dead and direct the new film in the saga