@Eli Roth’s History of Horror
Linda Blair, the star of the acclaimed supernatural horror film, The Exorcist, is reportedly reprising her role of Regan MacNeil, who was formerly possessed by the demon Pazuzu, in Blumhouse’s upcoming reboot. The actress, who last played the iconic character in the series’ first sequel, T977’s The Exorcist II: The Heretic, joined her on-screen mother, Ellen Burstyn, on the set of the David Gordon Green-directed project, Above the Line is reporting.
The upcoming version of The Exorcist, whose franchise includes three previous follow-ups, two versions of a prequel and a television series, is rebooting the series’ storyline, much like Green’s Halloween sequel trilogy. There’s no word yet, though, how the filmmaker’s follow-up will address Regan and her mother, Chris, as well as the overall events of the previous sequels. But it’s expected the new drama will be strongly related to the original feature, which was released to controversy 50 years ago, in 1973.
Like the Halloween franchise, The Exorcist reboot franchise will.have three entries. “It’s not inaccurate [that The Exorcist 2023 will be a sequel to the original film]. I like all the Exorcist movies,” Green told Total Film. “And not only do I like them, I think they can all fall into the acceptable mythology for what I’m doing. It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Pretend that The Exorcist II never happened.’ That’s fine to exist. They’re all fine to exist, and I enjoy all of them.”
A spokesperson for Blumhouse told Above the Line that Blair “served as an advisor” on the series’ sixth installment. The spokesperson also didn’t refute the outlet’s report of Regan’s return in the upcoming movie.
Like the original film – which followed Chris seeking out a priest, Father Damien Karras, (Jason Miller), to perform an exorcism on her daughter. The upcoming reboot follows a father (Leslie Odom Jr.) who turns to Chris for help when his child suffers the same evil.
The upcoming film also stars Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale), Raphael Sbarge (Once Upon a Time), Lidya Jewett (Good Girls), Okwui Okpokwasili and newcomer Olivia Marcum.
Jason Blum is producing the franchise new entry from Green and his Halloween collaborator Danny McBride, who co-wrote the story with Scott Teems (Halloween Kills, Firestarter). Morgan Creek president David Robinson described the theatrical series’ revival “a compelling continuation” of the original Exorcist screen adaptation. The next two movies are scheduled to be released on streamer Peacock.
Filming on the series’ sixth movie installment, in which Blair has a limited role, wrapped earlier this month. The new version of The Exorcist is scheduled to be released in theaters on October 13.