Original Necronomicon Nearly Referenced in Evil Dead Burn
Interestingly, the original Necronomicon as depicted in 1987’s Evil Dead II nearly made an appearance in the franchise’s latest entry. The 2026 horror movie Evil Dead Burn once again catches audiences up with the world of Evil Dead. The sequel has strong ties with its predecessor, 2023’s Evil Dead Rise, and there is even a sketch of the Necronomicon from 2013’s reboot featured in the film.
According to our sources tied to a test screening for Evil Dead Burn, the 2026 sequel would have included an unexpected reference to the original continuity. The scene where Souheila Yacoub’s character Alice goes through Benjamin Price’s research was originally much more detailed. At one point, rather than stumbling across a sketch of the Necronomicon from the Evil Dead reboot, she would have found a sketch featuring the Evil Dead II design of the Necronomicon and the accompanying Kandarian dagger.
This drastically changes the lore of the film. For starters, Benjamin Price’s research largely revolves around Professor Knowby and the events of 1981’s The Evil Dead which launched the franchise. Upon closer inspection, not only does Benjamin discuss Professor Raymond Knowby in his notes, but also his wife Henrietta and daughter Annie from Evil Dead II.
A Change of Plans
This initially lined up Benjamin’s research solely with the events of the original movie. At some point, they must have decided it would be better to reference 2013’s Necronomicon instead. While it’s a solid way of building continuity in the franchise’s other direction, it does create some problems that the original Necronomicon would have avoided. For example, if Alice first saw the Evil Dead II Kandarian dagger in the research sketch, it now makes more sense why she would have grabbed the miniature when searching for the dagger made by the Circle of Wisemen.
Now the fake out with the miniature Kandarian dagger makes less sense. Likewise, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights features Evil Dead Burn merchandise with the original Necronomicon design used in Evil Dead II. It seems as though the merchandise was approved prior to the decision to change the Necronomicon depicted in the film.
Universal’s HHN Merchandise Reveals Original Necronomicon
Unfortunately, it’s ultimately unclear why the design was altered. It could have been a rights issue, which doesn’t seem likely if merchandise with the Evil Dead II design was approved. As such, it might’ve been a way to make 2013’s Evil Dead feel more relevant to the current continuity during post-production. With rumors that Evil Dead Wrath will revolve around the mythology of the 2013 movie, it makes even more sense to keep it relevant, so we’ll have to see what plans Hollywood has for Evil Dead going forward.
