Blatty, Friedkin Reuniting for 'Exorcist' Mini-Series?

It's clear that they William Peter Blatty failed to bottle whatever it is that made The Exorcist one of the most influential films of its type, a multiple Oscar nominee, the subject of public scorn, a film banned in several countries for over two decades in some cases, and one of the biggest hits in movie history. But there have been several attempts to find that magic formula, but neither sequel nor either prequel (the one that was released and the one that wasn't) ever approximated the success or impact of the first film. Now, the 81-year-old Blatty is going to give it one more go, tellying Cemetery Dance (via Dread Central), that he'll revisit Captain Howdy one more time.

"I would love to have been able to include the subplot involving Karl and his daughter Elvira which I did in my first draft [of The Exorcist], but that script ran to 172 pages - much, much too long. But I might have it my way in the near future, inasmuch as I've written an Exorcist miniseries script that not only faithfully includes all the main elements of the novel, but also some rather spooky new material and scenes, as well as a totally new (and perhaps much more satisfying) ending. I've also updated it. Billy Friedkin has agreed to direct."

Friedkin directed the first Exorcist, but kept his distance from future installments, so it's interesting that he'd be willing to return nearly 40 years later. But then, what does "Billy Friedkin has agreed to direct" really mean? Is it "Friedkin will direct if I get producers involved" or "Friedkin will direct if I get a $15 million budget" or "Friedkin will direct if it happens next year" or "Friedkin will direct if A, B, and C all come through"? And then there's the immutable fact that we just don't need more Exorcist. The 2000 re-release proved it: The same film (with a couple new scenes) made $40 million. People will take The Exorcist as it is, and since neither Friedkin or Blatty ever, ever got close to that zenith again, moving forward here might be a bad idea. So knock it off.

Comments

[quin browne]

years ago, when my then teenagers were pooh-poohing the inane fear films of my generation, i suggested they watch the exorcist.

three kids (aged 21-15) sat to watch this unsettling film.

three kids (aged 21-15) crawled into my bed afterward, and asked i leave a light on.

[knives]

Two of the sequels, directed by Blatty, are reasonably great films, so in this case I'll be interested in what comes out of the woodworks.

[Get The Big Picture]

...which ones are "reasonably great?" The only one I've ever thought was passable was Exorcist III, which he did direct.

[Tjei]

Didn't they actually open The Exorcist amusement park in Iraq after the war?