Ranked by the American Film Institute as the third best thriller in film history, behind
Psychosis
and
The Teeth of the Sea,
The Exorcist
will soon be back on the big screen.
Universal Pictures wants to turn this cult 1970s horror film, one of the highest grossing of all time, into a franchise with a three-part sequel.
Ellen Burstyn, who played the possessed mother of the child in William Friedkin's film, will return to her role in these new feature films.
To read also: William Friedkin: "My films do not say who I am"
According to
Deadline
, this three-film sequel will feature actor Leslie Odom Jr.
(
Murder on the Orient Express
, Hamilton),
a father whose child is possessed.
While seeking help, he meets Chris McNeil, the character played by Ellen Burstyn, who experienced the same situation fifty years ago.
Linda Blair, who played the possessed teenager in the cult film, will a priori be absent from these sequels.
"
To date, there has been no discussion of my participation or role
" in this trilogy, she announced on Twitter, while wishing "
the best to everyone involved
."
Between cinema and streaming
This franchise will be directed by David Gordon Green, the filmmaker behind the recent
Halloween
sequels
.
For these three new installments derived from
The Exorcist
, Universal Pictures is teaming up with production houses Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, as well as the American streaming platform Peacock.
If the theatrical release of the first part is announced, the
New York Times
reports that the next two could be broadcast on the platform first.
According to the American press, the contract exceeds $ 400 million.
Read also: William Friedkin exorcises
Sorcerer
The 1973 feature film, recognized as one of the great classics of horror cinema, has already been the subject of several more or less official sequels.
The Exorcist II: The Heretic
(1977),
The Exorcist: The Sequel
(1990),
The Exorcist: In The Beginning
(2004) and
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
(2005). None of them were done by William Friedkin.
