As he was finishing up his Halloween sequel trilogy, director David Gordon Green found himself at a crossroads in his career. He was ready to take another left turn, but then Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse Productions, tempted him with an intriguing idea. Blum proposed the idea of giving The Exorcist, the iconic horror film from 1973, its own sequel trilogy treatment. Green, known for his ability to navigate different genres and styles, couldn’t resist the opportunity.
In 2021, Universal and Peacock reportedly paid a staggering $400 million for the rights to The Exorcist franchise. The original film, directed by the late William Friedkin, is widely regarded as a horror classic. Green’s sequel trilogy takes an interesting approach by focusing on the parents of two possessed teenage girls. These parents turn to Chris MacNeil, played by Ellen Burstyn, for help in dealing with the demonic foe that possessed her daughter, Regan, in the original film.
Green has already outlined the next two chapters of his Exorcist sequel trilogy. While he initially planned to write and direct all three films, he’s not yet ready to confirm if he’ll helm the second installment, titled The Exorcist: Deceiver, or the final chapter. Green explains, “My intention is just to start making things, and as those plans come together, if I find myself in that director’s chair, I’d be thrilled. But right now, I’m navigating it from a story perspective and looking at my realities of life as I pivot.”
Green had completed his direct sequel to Friedkin’s classic just two and a half weeks before Friedkin’s passing in August 2021. He had hoped to invite Friedkin to a screening of the film, despite the late filmmaker’s skepticism about the franchise-ification of his original work. Green reflects on this missed opportunity, saying, “Like so many people, Ellen Burstyn included, I know that there was skepticism at the beginning of this undertaking, but I was excited to show it to [Friedkin]. As it came together, I found myself more and more proud of what we’d done…And so it’s disappointing that I don’t get to expose myself in that way, which would, no joke, be really intimidating.”
Related Post
The Exorcist: Believer, the first film in Green’s trilogy, has received mixed reviews from critics. However, it’s projected to have a strong opening weekend, with potential earnings of up to $30 million. Green acknowledges the change in release dates, which was prompted by Taylor Swift’s concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. He discusses the decision to move the release, stating, “Let’s look at what had cleared out in the previous weekend. Maybe we should jump off that Friday the 13th sweet spot and try to carve ourselves out a little bit more breathing room.”
Despite initially hesitating to take on another classic horror franchise, Green’s intrigue was sparked by the opportunity to bring meaningful and personal storytelling to a well-known series. He saw it as a chance to blend his independent-minded dramatic work with the appeal of a major franchise. Green explains, “If you look at the original film, sure, it’s one of the scariest movies ever made and arguably the greatest horror film ever made. But it’s also a portrait of a priest struggling with identity and faith. It’s a portrait of a mother struggling with uncertainty involving her child. These are themes that I find relatable, and I’ve explored some of these issues in much of the dramatic work I’ve done.”
One of the unique aspects of Green’s film is its exploration of different religions and belief systems. The movie treats each faith as equally valid and emphasizes the universal constructs found within them. Green wants to convey a message of unity, stating, “It’s a movie about the coming together of these different philosophies and fighting toward a common goal.”
Unfortunately, Green didn’t have the opportunity to connect with Friedkin during the making of the film. However, he was eager to show the end result to the legendary director. Green saw the threads of inspiration from Friedkin’s work realized in his own film and was proud of what they had achieved. He regrets not being able to have a conversation with Friedkin about the project, acknowledging that it would have been an intimidating experience.
Reflecting on the criticism surrounding trilogies that lacked a detailed plan, Green acknowledges that while some of the best trilogies were not rigidly planned ahead of time, he believes in finding a balance between structure and creative freedom. With the completion of the first film in the trilogy, Green now has a foundation to build upon for the remaining installments.
In conclusion, David Gordon Green’s foray into The Exorcist franchise presents an exciting opportunity for him to blend his unique storytelling style with the established legacy of the iconic horror film. With the rights to the franchise secured, Green has outlined the next two chapters of his Exorcist sequel trilogy but is unsure if he’ll direct all three films. Despite the skepticism surrounding the project, Green remains proud of his work and regrets not being able to show the end result to the late William Friedkin. By exploring different belief systems and emphasizing unity, Green aims to bring a fresh perspective to The Exorcist franchise. With the release of the first film on the horizon, audiences eagerly anticipate Green’s vision for the future of the series.
