Universal Pictures and Peacock have signed a mega-movie deal to make a direct sequel to William Friedkin-directed The Exorcist of 1973. 2023 has been set as the tentative release date.
The deal which is yet to be announced by Universal was first reported by The New York Times who acquired details through private channels. The deal has been signed for an “Exorcist trilogy” stamped at the price of 400-plus million dollars.
The deal itself is of big significance since it shows that Universal and Peacock are ready to spend big bucks on projects that were once a trademark exclusive to Netflix.
The new sequel will be ignoring the movies in between it and the original Exorcist, in a soft reboot fashion. It will be directly connected to The Exorcist and will also bring back Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil from the original plot.
Burstyn’s Chris MacNeil was one of the main characters in The Exorcist, mother to 12-year-old Reagan who was under demonic possession. When The Exorcist was released, it became an instant hit, even bagging the Academy Award for Best Picture. Burstyn on board is a sure indicator that the 2023 sequel will pick up after the events of the first movie.
Leslie Odom Jr (of Hamilton, and recently Knives Out 2) will also be part of the movie. He is reported to play father to a possessed child who seeks out MacNeil for help, as a parent who experienced a similar situation.
Producer Jason Blum, on heels with his production company Blumhouse will get the gears running for the sequel. Blum is expected to use the same formula for The Exorcist, as he did for the Halloween franchise where he successfully soft rebooted the series only following the original film. It is no surprise that Halloween director David Gordon Green has also been selected for The Exorcist 2.
The timeline fits then — although Halloween 2 and 3 were filmed a while back in 2019, the pandemic delayed its release. But by 2022-23, Green should have his hands free for The Exorcist 2.
There is also something mildly auspicious about having Halloween-thronged October 13 falling on a Friday. We’re sure the production will make good on that.
About The Exorcist 2
The Exorcist 2 is an upcoming horror film that is intended to serve as a direct sequel to the events of 1973’s The Exorcist. Universal Pictures and Peacock have purchased rights to the new Exorcist trilogy, which includes the 2023 direct sequel.
Production will be handled by Jason Blum-headed Blumhouse, directed by David Gordon Green. Ellen Burstyn will reprise her role from the original movie. Leslie Odom Jr will join in as a new character — father to a possessed child, who seeks help from Burstyn’s Chris MacNeil, who underwent a similar situation.
Source: New York Times
No Comments on A Direct Sequel to 1973’s The Exorcist In The Works For 2023