‘Evil Dead Wrath’ set as 1972 prequel, writer-director Francis Galluppi says in-laws play a role

The next theatrical installment of the Evil Dead franchise, Evil Dead Wrath, will be positioned as a prequel, its writer and director Francis Galluppi said in a recent interview. Galluppi characterized the project as “yet another great departure” from earlier entries while describing it as a new chapter set in an earlier time period rather than a direct continuation of the franchise’s most recent storyline.

Galluppi said the film takes place in 1972, moving the franchise’s setting back several decades. He also described the plot as involving “the in-laws,” indicating that the central group at the center of the film’s events will be structured around a family relationship typical of many ordinary gatherings, even as the franchise’s horror elements remain the central draw.

Evil Dead Wrath is scheduled to premiere in theaters on April 7, 2028. The release date places the film in a crowded forward-looking slate as studios continue to rely on established genre brands for major theatrical openings, with the expectation that recognizable franchises can help stabilize distribution plans across major exhibition chains.

The announcement arrives as the Evil Dead brand continues to expand across multiple formats and story approaches over time. While the project’s details remain limited based on the public description, Galluppi’s comments suggest the production is aiming to refresh audience expectations by changing not only the time period but also the social setup of the narrative, with the “in-laws” framing pointing to a specific kind of household tension and visitor dynamic.

For theaters and home-market distributors, the film’s prequel status may affect how the marketing campaign explains its place within the broader franchise. Prequels often require studios to balance accessibility for new viewers with continuity for established fans, particularly when the story chronology differs from what audiences may assume from franchise branding alone.

Galluppi’s description of the film as a “great departure” also indicates that the creative team is looking to differentiate the film’s approach without abandoning the franchise identity. Given the April 7, 2028 theatrical timeline, additional casting, production, and ratings information is expected to follow through standard studio communications and industry announcements closer to release.

As the release date approaches, audiences, exhibitors, and industry observers will look for further specifics on the film’s cast, character relationships, and the scope of the 1972 setting, as well as any content details that may shape distribution decisions and audience guidance at theaters and in subsequent viewing platforms.