David Gordon Green is currently in production on a new instalment of the Exorcist franchise, as he looks to repeat the formula of 2018’s Halloween by delivering a direct sequel to the iconic 1973 film which also serves as the starting point for a new trilogy.
Not too long ago, Peacock and Universal scooped up rights to The Exorcist for a whopping $400 million, setting Blumhouse to make a trilogy of movies. Their hopes could be well-placed as while its sequels have struggled, the original Exorcist was a total force, bringing in $441M globally and landing an insane ten nominations at the Oscars.
Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and Green devised the story for the new film, with a script later penned by Peter Sattler and Green. Jason Blum will produce on behalf of Blumhouse, with Ryan Turek overseeing the project for the studio. Green, McBride, and Couper Samuelson will also executive produce.
In recent casting news, Raphael Sbarge (Once Upon a Time) has joined the feature as a new pastor who is said to play a key role. The film will also star Leslie Odom Jr., Olivia Marcum, Ann Dowd, Lidya Jewett and Ellen Burstyn, who is reprising her role from the original film, bringing a connective tissue between the two films, much like Jamie Lee Curtis did for 2018’s Halloween.
Let’s hope this planned franchise doesn’t go the route of Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends.
