“This statement is a public declaration by the defendant that the defendant abandoned the alleged ‘mark,’ Evil Dead, decades ago,” says Award Pictures in papers to the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Award Pictures goes on to say that even if Evil Dead was a valid mark upon the release of the first film, the sequels can’t be counted as continued use because they were both “works for hire” and “single works.” Additionally, the company points to 20 other motion pictures that have used “Evil Dead” within their title over the years, saying that Renaissance has exhibited “uncontrolled, unregulated, and undefended use of Evil Dead.” Finally, Award says Renaissance’s purported trademark claims constitute a defrauding of others in the entertainment industry.

Earlier this week, Renaissance struck back with a lawsuit against Award Pictures, saying it indeed has used its mark, for example licensing Evil Dead video games, dolls, clothing, memorabilia, comic books, etc.

According to the lawsuit, “As a result of Renaissance’s use of the EVIL DEAD mark and the cult success of the films and related products, the EVIL DEAD mark has acquired enormous value, has become famous among the relevant consuming public and motion picture trade, and is recognized as identifying and distinguishing Renaissance exclusively and uniquely as the source of goods sold and services provided under the EVIL DEAD mark.”

THR has learned that Jessica Lucas is in talks and Elizabeth Blackmore is set to head into the woods for director Fede Alvarez. While Blackmore is a relative newcomer – most of her work has been on Australian television – Lucas is best known for playing Riley Richmond on the Melrose Place reboot that ran from 2009 to 2010. The new film, which is being produced by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell, is about a group of five friends who travel to a cabin in the woods to help their drugged out friend (Levy). While there, however, they discover the book of the dead an unleash an ancient evil. Should the deal be completed, Lucas will play Levy’s best friend, who also happens to be a nurse, and Blackmore will play Fernandez’s fiance, who is “new to the group.” Production will begin this April in New Zealand.

“Thumbsucker” star Lou Taylor Pucci is in talks to join the young ensemble of FilmDistrict and Mandate Pictures’ reboot of “The Evil Dead.”

Pucci will play Eric, an intense academic whose intellectual curiosity gets him and his friends into trouble.

EXCLUSIVE: Jane Levy is in talks to play the lead in the remake of Evil Dead that Fede Alvarez will direct shortly. She replaces Lily Collins, who exited the film recently. Levy is the star of the ABC series Suburgatory, and stars in Fun Size, the Josh Schwartz-directed film for Paramount.

The “Evil Dead” role was highly sought after by young actors.

Helmed and penned by Fede Alvarez, the pic is a reinvention of the 1981 cult classic about a group of teens who holed up in a remote cabin who discover a Book of the Dead that unleashes demons they cannot control.

Again, in case you missed it, LILY COLLINS is OUT of THE EVIL DEAD reboot due to a scheduling issue. Agents, start your engines…