Jessica McNamee, known to Mortal Kombat fans as the formidable Sonya Blade, has been officially cast in the next entry in the Evil Dead series according to Deadline. She joins an ensemble cast bringing a fresh wave of horror to the iconic franchise, under the watchful eyes of series creators Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert.

McNamee, who is reprising her role as Sonya Blade in the upcoming Mortal Kombat sequel slated for a May 8 release, adds another high-profile genre project to her resume. She will be joined by Charlotte Hope (Game of Thrones, The Nun), Zach Gilford (Midnight Mass, The Purge: Anarchy), Josh Helman (Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Ella Newton (Dangerous Animals), Ella Oliphant, and Elizabeth Cullen (Elvis).

The new film is helmed by director and writer Francis Galluppi, celebrated for his work on The Last Stop in Yuma County. Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert are on board as producers, with Bruce Campbell among the executive producers.

This untitled Evil Dead project is set to follow the upcoming Evil Dead Burn, the sixth installment in the series directed by Sébastien Vaniček (Infested), which has a July 24 release. It also builds on the success of 2023's Evil Dead Rise, which grossed $147 million worldwide.

Details regarding the logline for Galluppi's film remain tightly under wraps, promising a fresh, yet familiar, dose of demonic terror. The project is co-financed by New Line Cinema and Sony Pictures, with New Line handling domestic distribution and Sony managing international territories.

What are your expectations for the next chapter in the Evil Dead saga, and seeing McNamee enter the fray?