Raimi's producing the long-discussed the remake, along with original The Evil Dead producer Rob Tapert and Campbell himself.  The cast of young folks includes Jane Levy, Lou Taylor Pucci, Elizabeth Blackmore, Jessica Lucas, and Shiloh Fernandez.  Unlike the increasingly wisecrack-filled sequels Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness, this remake will be a straightforward experience in grueling terror, eliminating most all of the jokiness.

Fede Alvarez is making his feature debuton the remake, a gig he scored largely on account of his short film Panic Attack!.  Alvarez collaborated on the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues.  Diablo Cody contributed revisions to the script and rather famously promised a hugely violent film, but you'll notice that the Oscar winner is not mentioned anywhere in today's announcement that production has begun.

Principal photography is now underway in Auckland, New Zealand, where it will shoot until early July.

Here's the official announcement:

Ghost House Pictures is producing the much anticipated remake of Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult-hit horror film THE EVIL DEAD; the film that effectively launched the careers of Sam Raimi (SPIDER-MAN franchise); Rob Tapert (30 Days of Night) and Bruce Campbell who played the Ash character and was Co-Producer of  the original, now brings them back to produce an EVIL DEAD for today’s audience that’s high on the horror, gore, plot twists and more from a screenplay written by Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues.  Executive Producers are J.R. Young, Nathan Kahane, Joseph Drake and Peter Schlessel.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) and FilmDistrict have partnered with Ghost House Pictures on a worldwide deal – excluding U.K. and France – for Sony Pictures to distribute the remake of EVIL DEAD.

Five twenty-something friends become holed up in a remote cabin where they discover a Book Of The Dead and unwittingly summon up dormant demons living in the nearby woods, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival.

A core cast of young, fresh talent includes Jane Levy (Suburgatory) as Mia; Shiloh Fernandez (Deadgirl, Red Riding Hood) as David; Lou Taylor Pucci (Carriers) as Eric; Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield) as Olivia and Elizabeth Blackmore (Legend of the Seeker) as Natalie.

“This cast of burgeoning talent share the same spirit we had when creating the original,” says Tapert.  “The desire to deliver an unexpected and outrageously scary movie experience for the audience.”

EVIL DEAD marks director Fede Alvarez’  feature debut.  Originally from Uruguay, Alvarez studied filmmaking and communications, later opening his own production and post production company. In 2005 he won a scholarship to complete a masters in screenwriting in Amsterdam. In November 2009, he posted his four-minute short Panic Attack!, which became an instant viral internet phenomenon prompting intense interest from Hollywood and Ghost House Pictures in particular.

We found a brilliant artist in Fede Alvarez.  As a director, he understands what makes a story work and how to put the pieces together,” says Raimi.  “I’m really excited to see this story, that I care deeply about, retold by such a fine storyteller.”