When director Sam Raimi set out to make Evil Dead II in the mid-1980s, the acclaimed filmmaker faced severe financial obstacles and skepticism from Hollywood studios. However, an unexpected ally stepped in to save the day: bestselling horror author Stephen King. King’s enthusiastic early backing of the original 1981 film and his subsequent intervention played a pivotal role in getting the iconic sequel greenlit and financed.
The Origins of Stephen King’s Support for The Evil Dead
The connection between Sam Raimi and Stephen King dates back to the Cannes Film Market in the early 1980s. Raimi, alongside producer Rob Tapert and star Bruce Campbell, struggled to find distributors willing to take a chance on their low-budget Michigan-made feature, The Evil Dead. At the time, conventional buyers largely avoided the extreme, independent horror project.
Everything changed when Stephen King happened to attend a screening at the market. Impressed by the intensity and originality of the picture, King wrote a glowing review for Twilight Zone magazine, famously declaring it “the most ferociously original horror film of 1982.” That endorsement provided the critical momentum the filmmakers needed to secure international distribution and catch the attention of New Line Cinema.
How Stephen King Intervened to Help Make Evil Dead II
Years later, when Raimi and Campbell prepared to produce a follow-up, they hit another wall regarding financing. According to accounts from the filmmakers, Stephen King stepped in once again to ensure the franchise survived.
While working on the set of King’s directorial debut, Maximum Overdrive (1986)-produced by Hollywood heavyweight Dino De Laurentiis-a displaced crew member mentioned the ongoing struggles to fund Evil Dead II. Upon hearing that the project lacked financial backing, King personally contacted Dino De Laurentiis and urged him to support the movie. That single conversation helped fast-track discussions, leading to a deal that brought the $3.6 million horror-comedy to life.
Overcoming Obstacles: The Rights Dispute and Release
Even with backing from De Laurentiis secured, production on Evil Dead II hit another bizarre hurdle. New Line Cinema retained the rights to the original film, preventing Raimi from using any original footage for the sequel’s introductory recap.
To solve this issue, the production team filmed entirely new replacement scenes featuring different actors. While this choice briefly confused some viewers who misread Ash’s return to the cabin, the finished film ultimately leaned into a frantic blend of supernatural horror, physical comedy, and groundbreaking practical effects.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Released in March 1987, Evil Dead II grossed $5.9 million domestically and achieved widespread critical acclaim. Over the decades, its reputation has only grown:
- Earned an 89% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 87 reviews.
- Ranked No. 18 on Time Out’s updated list of the 100 Best Horror Movies.
- Cemented Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams as a defining pop-culture horror hero.
Without Stephen King’s vocal enthusiasm and direct industry intervention during critical junctures, the Evil Dead franchise might have stalled out in early development, altering the landscape of modern horror history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Stephen King write the screenplay for Evil Dead II?
No, Stephen King did not write the script. Evil Dead II was written by Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel. King’s involvement was strictly as an influential champion, reviewer, and advocate who helped secure financial backing.
How much did Evil Dead II cost to make?
The film was produced on an estimated budget of roughly $3.6 million and went on to gross approximately $5.9 million at the domestic box office, alongside robust success on home video.
Why couldn’t Sam Raimi use footage from the first movie in Evil Dead II?
New Line Cinema owned the distribution and copyright rights to the original 1981 film, legally barring Raimi from incorporating flashback footage into the opening recap of the sequel.
What did Stephen King say about the original Evil Dead?
In his review for Twilight Zone magazine, King praised the movie as “the most ferociously original horror film of 1982,” giving the fledgling filmmakers a massive credibility boost.
How did Stephen King help get Evil Dead II funded?
After learning from a crew member that the sequel lacked financial support, King contacted producer Dino De Laurentiis directly while working on Maximum Overdrive and strongly recommended that he finance the project.
