The Exorcist: Ellen Burysten returns to reprise her role for a new trilogy
By Mads Lennon
Remember how we previously reported that Blumhouse was returning to the ol’ head-turning-pea-soup-spewing demon story, The Exorcist, we all love for a continuation? Well, things just got much bigger than that. According to Deadline, Universal Pictures and Peacock (the NBCUniversal streaming service), in partnership with Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, just closed deal of more than $400 million to purchase the worldwide rights for a new franchise.
Yes, you read that right. Not only is the series continuing, but it’s getting a whole new trilogy. It’s very similar to what Blumhouse and Universal did with the continuation of Halloween, which featured the return of John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis. After Halloween, we have Halloween Kills coming out this fall and then Halloween Ends next year.
Given the success of the rejuvenated Michael Myers franchise, there is hope that the new Exorcist trilogy could be good, especially since the same director, David Gordon Green, is helming The Exorcist trilogy.
Ellen Burstyn will return to reprise her original role from The Exorcist
Perhaps the most exciting part of all of this is that one of the actors from the original 1973 film is returning to reprise their role. Ellen Burstyn will be back as Reagan’s mother in the new movie. She’ll be joined by Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. who will play the father of a possessed child. He seeks Chris MacNeil’s (Burstyn) help since she previously experienced the same thing.
The trilogy is not a remake of the original but a continuation of the series. No word yet on if Linda Blair will return although it doesn’t seem super likely. But then again, who knows? Interestingly, Burstyn didn’t appear in any of the other sequels, most of which were critically panned, so perhaps her involvement signals the possibility of a good idea or script?
As for when the films will start releasing, don’t expect the first one to hit theaters until October 13, 2023 with the second films of the trilogy potentially coming to Peacock.
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Are you looking forward to a new trilogy that continues The Exorcist story? What do you think about Ellen Burstyn returning? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The Exorcist will release in theaters on October 13, 2023.