When the TV series Ash vs. Evil Dead came to an end, star Bruce Campbell said he was formally retiring from the role of Evil Dead franchise hero Ash, a character he had played in three films and three seasons of television over the course of forty years. There is a loophole, though: Campbell is still willing to provide the voice of the character, which is how we got his voicework on Evil Dead: The Game, and why there’s now hope that Ash vs. Evil Dead may be revived as an animated series. But franchise creator Sam Raimi is also still holding on to hope that he’ll get to direct Campbell as Ash in another movie.

Three years ago, Raimi said, “I would love to direct a new Evil Dead movie… but I’d really like to do it with Bruce. And he says he’s retired the character.