Universal Studios celebrated Barbenhiemer Day in a big way, by releasing a theater-exclusive trailer for the upcoming “The Exorcist: Believer.” The trailer is currently running before showings of Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” [We’ve seen it, it’s pretty great. The audience had no idea what it was til the classic piano music started!] While we are sure it will be posted online soon, a trip to the local cineplex is the only way to see it.
This sequel to the iconic horror franchise is directed by David Gordon Green, who co-wrote the script with Peter Sattler (“Broken Diamonds”). The script is also based on a story created by Green, Scott Teems (“Halloween Kills”), and Danny McBride (“Halloween”). This project is a joint venture between Universal, Blumhouse, and Morgan Creek that will kick off a whole new trilogy.
“The Exorcist: Believer” will focus on two parents seeking help when their respective daughters show signs of demonic possession. They enlist the help of Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) who is the mother of the possessed Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) in the original 1973 and 1977 films.
Universal also released three new posters for “The Exorcist: Believer.”
Though Blair was spotted on set for “The Exorcist: Believer,” there is no official confirmation she will reprise her role as Regan. Bursten is confirmed to be coming back, as Chris. The film also stars Leslie Odom Jr. (“Hamilton”), Ann Dowd (“Handmaid’s Tale”), Lidya Jewett (“Nightbooks”), Raphael Sbarge (“Gaslit”), Jennifer Nettles (“The Righteous Gemstones”), and newcomer Olivia Marcum.
This will be the first big screen entry into the franchise since 2005’s “Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist.” Which was an alternate version of the 2004 film “Exorcist: The Beginning.” Before that, the franchise had been dormant since the 1990 cult favorite “The Exorcist III.” It was rebooted one more time for the small screen with a short-lived series on Fox that ran from 2016 to 2018.
“The Exorcist: Believer” hits theaters on October 13, 2023. We’ll keep you posted on updates as they become available.
