Universal and Peacock have acquired the distribution rights to a new The Exorcist trilogy, developed by Blumhouse Productions and Morgan Creek Entertainment and directed by David Gordon Green. The original stars, including Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil and Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, will likely return to the screen nearly 50 years later to tell the story of young Regan and her family.
Linda Blair will Reportedly return in ‘The Exorcist Reboot
Initially, Linda Blair denied any involvement in the new film. Still, the same production confirmed her return to the iconic role of Regan MacNeil in the first chapter of the trilogy set to release in the fall of 2023.
Released in 1973 and based on William Peter Blatty’s novel of the same title, the original Exorcist movie remains one of the terrifying films ever made. It tells the story of Regan, a young girl possessed by the demon Pazuzu. The film’s unsettling atmosphere, cutting-edge demonic visuals, and unforgettable scenes of Regan’s grotesque contortions – including throwing up, head spinning, and crab-walking downstairs – make it a true horror classic and a national treasure.
According to a credible source, Blair had been present on the set and had already shot several scenes. This marks Blair’s first appearance on the screen since her role in the widely criticized 1977 film The Exorcist II: The Heretic.
The 1977 film ended with Regan MacNeil happily leaving with Father Philip Lamont, played by Richard Burton, who will not reprise his role. However, Blair and Burstyn will be on screen together once again, leaving fans of the saga eager to see the consequences of those events.
The film has finished shooting and is currently in post-production. The return of Linda Blair to her iconic role has generated excitement among fans of the franchise, and many are curious to see how the new trilogy will unfold. With Blair’s return, audiences can expect a nostalgic and thrilling experience that will satisfy their craving for more of the original’s horror and drama. The new Exorcist will be in theaters on October 13, 2023.
