Blumhouse isn't nearly done with rebooting classic horror films from the '70s. Post-success of its Halloween reboot, directed by David Gordon Green, Blumhouse also rebooted 1974's Black Christmas. Now, The Exorcist is set to receive a sequel from the industrious horror studio.
Recently, Blumhouse and its producing partner Morgan Creek confirmed to the Observer that the studios are eyeing David Gordon Green to also direct its possession story after his work on the last two planned films in Halloween's franchise, Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends.
Blumhouse hasn't confirmed much about its planned sequel to The Exorcist, but it did confirm its producers for the upcoming sequel. Jason Blum, David Robinson and James Robinson will serve as producers. The untitled project will serve as a follow-up tale to the 1973 film, but it is currently unknown if it will connect to prior films in the franchise or if this film will reboot the film's original sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic.
The Exorcist's original director, William Friedkin, recently clarified that he's not at all involved with the project after IMDb incorrectly attached his name to what fans speculated is Blumhouse's upcoming film. "There’s a rumor on IMDB that I’m involved with a new version of The Exorcist. This isn’t a rumor, it’s a flat-out lie," he wrote on Twitter. "There’s not enough money or motivation in the world to get me to do this."
Friedkin's film grew out of the original horror novel of the same title written by William Peter Blatty. It spawned a 1977 sequel directed by Deliverance's John Boorman and was considered both a critical and commercial flop. Exorcist II: The Heretic also starred Linda Blair, reprising her role as Regan MacNeil, who is still affected by her possession although she retained no memory of the event. However, her role is more of a supporting character meant to help a priest, Father Philip Lamont (Richard Burton), battling the church's cover-up of possessions, as they seek to oust Satanic mentions from the faith entirely.
Friedkin has not shied away from also voicing his displeasure at the 1977's Warner Bros. sequel, likening it famously to a car accident. Both he and author William Peter Blatty were not apart of the sequel's development. It was rumored that Blatty was seen laughing during the film's initial screening. Unfortunately, Blatty passed away in 2017, so he will not be able to speak on Blumhouse's latest invention. Based on Friedkin's latest quote, it seems as if he won't be a part of Blumhouse's production either.
Source: Observer