“Evil Dead Rise” filmmaker Lee Cronin to shoot a film in 2026

Lee Cronin

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Lee Cronin emerges with a new, mysterious project that is described as a modern take on something old. The filmmaker, known for Evil Dead – Rise of the Deadhas signed a new film with James Wan’s Atomic Monster and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse. New Line Cinema will release the project and has set a release date of April 17, 2026.

Cronin will write and direct the film. The film is notable as it is the first film to be greenlit under the recently merged studios Atomic Monster and Blumhouse. Cronin’s Doppelgängers banner will also be involved. The deal came after Evil Dead – Rise of the Dead grossed $147 million worldwide.

Cronin, who promised “something incredibly entertaining and terrifying,” praised his partners in a statement.

“Working with Jason, James and the wonderful teams at these two storied and highly successful companies is the stuff of perfect nightmares,” said Cronin. “To be able to return to New Line Cinema and my wonderful partners there is the icing on the cake.”

Wan called Cronin “a gifted filmmaker in the world of horror whose storytelling has electrified audiences,” and Blum added, “He has a fascinating, modern take on something very old that I think audiences will love.”

Cronin attracted attention with his debut in 2019 The whole thing in the groundwhich premiered at Sundance and was released by A24. The film is about a woman who is convinced that her young son is a doppelgänger. Cronin appropriately named his production company Doppelgängers and signed a first-look deal with New Line in March.