A film historian might argue that the modern notion of the "blockbuster" wasn't born until 1975. It was that year that Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" was booked to open in hundreds of theaters simultaneously, a practice that was still uncommon at the time. In so doing, "Jaws" essentially created the "opening weekend," a notion that Hollywood is still enamored of to this day. Additionally, "Jaws" ramped up the marketing blitz, flooding advertising spaces with the "Jaws" logo. Giant commercial entertainments haven't been the same since. "Jaws" kicked the door down.
Of course, two years before, "The Exorcist" had already helped get that door unlocked. It wasn't opened as widely as "Jaws," but "The Exorcist" had staying power. It opened the day after Christmas in 1973, and ran in theaters continuously for 105 straight weeks. It has the biggest Christmas opening weekend of all time, only beaten by "Titanic" 34 years later. The world, it seemed,...
Of course, two years before, "The Exorcist" had already helped get that door unlocked. It wasn't opened as widely as "Jaws," but "The Exorcist" had staying power. It opened the day after Christmas in 1973, and ran in theaters continuously for 105 straight weeks. It has the biggest Christmas opening weekend of all time, only beaten by "Titanic" 34 years later. The world, it seemed,...
- 10/13/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The Exorcist is my choice for the best horror movie of all time. Some may say Rosemary’s Baby or The Shining or Night of the Living Dead, but as a good Catholic boy, nothing has ever gotten under my skin the way William Friedkin’s original did. But, with great success comes the desire for Hollywood to make a hit into a franchise, but Friedkin was not a franchise director. He famously turned down French Connection II, but the studio, perhaps noticing how the second French Connection turned out decently, decided to go ahead and turn it into a franchise. Still, the results, with one notable exception were a disaster. So without any further adieu, here’s our list of Exorcist movies ranked – from worst to best.
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
So, worst is a degree here rather than a black-and-white fact. All of the Exorcist sequels – with that one...
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
So, worst is a degree here rather than a black-and-white fact. All of the Exorcist sequels – with that one...
- 10/10/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Even outside of Star Wars, prequels tend to get a bad rap. From answering questions that didn’t need answering (and destroying the mysteries of the original in the process) to repeating established formulas ad nauseum, it’s deceptively easy for these blasts from the past to trip over their previously established lore. After all, it’s kind of hard to tell an engaging story when audiences already know what happens next.
Thankfully, the horror genre seems to be especially blessed with filmmakers that see prequels as an opportunity to tell original stories within an established world. I mean, some folks even thought that last year’s Pearl was even better than X, and the trailer for Arkasha Stevenson’s upcoming The First Omen looks like it kicks all kinds of ass – and that’s precisely why we’ve decided to come up with a list highlighting six underrated horror prequels for your viewing pleasure!
Thankfully, the horror genre seems to be especially blessed with filmmakers that see prequels as an opportunity to tell original stories within an established world. I mean, some folks even thought that last year’s Pearl was even better than X, and the trailer for Arkasha Stevenson’s upcoming The First Omen looks like it kicks all kinds of ass – and that’s precisely why we’ve decided to come up with a list highlighting six underrated horror prequels for your viewing pleasure!
- 1/4/2024
- by Luiz H. C.
- bloody-disgusting.com
“The Exorcist” is, rightfully, heralded as one of the greatest, scariest films of all time. And in the 50 years since its 1973 release, filmmakers have tried, repeatedly, to recapture the magic that made the original film so special, to mixed results.
The latest attempt is “The Exorcist: Believer,” from director David Gordon Green, which returns Ellen Burstyn to the franchise for the first time since 1973 and focuses on a new phenomenon – synchronized possession. It’s meant to be the first of a new trilogy of films. And its release (it’ll be on PVOD on October 24) is enough to have us look back at the entire franchise thus far. Which films are scary good and which are ones that you’d rather spider-walk down the stairs to get away from? Read on to find out.
Warner Bros.
7. “Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist” (2005)
How troubled was the “Exorcist” prequel movie? So troubled...
The latest attempt is “The Exorcist: Believer,” from director David Gordon Green, which returns Ellen Burstyn to the franchise for the first time since 1973 and focuses on a new phenomenon – synchronized possession. It’s meant to be the first of a new trilogy of films. And its release (it’ll be on PVOD on October 24) is enough to have us look back at the entire franchise thus far. Which films are scary good and which are ones that you’d rather spider-walk down the stairs to get away from? Read on to find out.
Warner Bros.
7. “Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist” (2005)
How troubled was the “Exorcist” prequel movie? So troubled...
- 10/21/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
This post contains spoilers for "The Exorcist: Believer."
Ever since Father Merrin and Father Karras entered Regan MacNeil's bedroom to perform an exorcism at the conclusion of 1973's "The Exorcist," the endings to each entry within the "Exorcist" franchise have been a point of controversy and contention. In the first film's instance, the priests losing their lives during the exorcism made a lot of audience members and critics confused as to the message of the movie, with writer William Peter Blatty observing that "at that point in the movie, most of the audience is a little out of it." Blatty would run into other ending issues while making "Exorcist III" in 1990, where he was forced to reshoot and add an exorcism sequence into a film that was never intended to have one. As for what's going on during the hectic finales of "Exorcist II: The Heretic," "Exorcist: The Beginning," and "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,...
Ever since Father Merrin and Father Karras entered Regan MacNeil's bedroom to perform an exorcism at the conclusion of 1973's "The Exorcist," the endings to each entry within the "Exorcist" franchise have been a point of controversy and contention. In the first film's instance, the priests losing their lives during the exorcism made a lot of audience members and critics confused as to the message of the movie, with writer William Peter Blatty observing that "at that point in the movie, most of the audience is a little out of it." Blatty would run into other ending issues while making "Exorcist III" in 1990, where he was forced to reshoot and add an exorcism sequence into a film that was never intended to have one. As for what's going on during the hectic finales of "Exorcist II: The Heretic," "Exorcist: The Beginning," and "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,...
- 10/7/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
This post contains spoilers for "The Exorcist: Believer."
If it wasn't for William Friedkin's masterpiece, "The Exorcist," modern horror as we know it today simply wouldn't exist. There are a handful of properties that horror fans view as sacred, and "The Exorcist" is certainly one of them. Then again, John Carpenter's "Halloween" exists on a similar pedestal, and director David Gordon Green not only created a legacyquel trilogy but managed to bring back final girl Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) to connect it to the first film. Now, Green is returning to the world of "The Exorcist," disregarding the canon of sequels and the prequel with "The Exorcist: Believer." The tale sees two young friends, Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia O'Neill), simultaneously possessed by demonic forces. Their families are of different backgrounds and faiths, but must now work together to try and save their girls. Single dad...
If it wasn't for William Friedkin's masterpiece, "The Exorcist," modern horror as we know it today simply wouldn't exist. There are a handful of properties that horror fans view as sacred, and "The Exorcist" is certainly one of them. Then again, John Carpenter's "Halloween" exists on a similar pedestal, and director David Gordon Green not only created a legacyquel trilogy but managed to bring back final girl Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) to connect it to the first film. Now, Green is returning to the world of "The Exorcist," disregarding the canon of sequels and the prequel with "The Exorcist: Believer." The tale sees two young friends, Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia O'Neill), simultaneously possessed by demonic forces. Their families are of different backgrounds and faiths, but must now work together to try and save their girls. Single dad...
- 10/6/2023
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
National Amusements fires up ‘BlackBerry’; MetFilm has ‘Golda’ starring Helen Mirren and ‘The Burial’.
Universal’s franchise horror The Exorcist: Believer and Warner Bros’ UK drama The Great Escaper will be targeting different audiences at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, with both films opening wide.
Starting in 616 cinemas, The Great Escaper stars Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson, in her final film role before her death in June aged 87. Shot along the south coast of the UK including at Dover, Camber Sands and Hastings, the film follows a pensioner who escapes from his care home to attend the 70th anniversary...
Universal’s franchise horror The Exorcist: Believer and Warner Bros’ UK drama The Great Escaper will be targeting different audiences at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, with both films opening wide.
Starting in 616 cinemas, The Great Escaper stars Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson, in her final film role before her death in June aged 87. Shot along the south coast of the UK including at Dover, Camber Sands and Hastings, the film follows a pensioner who escapes from his care home to attend the 70th anniversary...
- 10/6/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
There’s been a shocking amount of horror movies released in August and September. Now that it’s October, it’s going to seem far more appropriate, with the month starting off with a doozie. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
Way back in 1973, William Peter Blatty‘s 1971 novel, “The Exorcist,” was adapted into a movie by the late William Friedkin, becoming a huge theatrical phenomenon that is still thought of as one of the scariest horror movies ever made. It introduced many Americans to the idea of possession and exorcism, making household names of Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn, both who received Oscar nominations. The movie received 10 bids total, winning for Blatty’s screenplay and the sound.
Fifty years later and filmmaker David Gordon Green has followed his mostly successful “Halloween” sequel trilogy with “The Exorcist: Believer,” the first of three movies in the works. The...
Way back in 1973, William Peter Blatty‘s 1971 novel, “The Exorcist,” was adapted into a movie by the late William Friedkin, becoming a huge theatrical phenomenon that is still thought of as one of the scariest horror movies ever made. It introduced many Americans to the idea of possession and exorcism, making household names of Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn, both who received Oscar nominations. The movie received 10 bids total, winning for Blatty’s screenplay and the sound.
Fifty years later and filmmaker David Gordon Green has followed his mostly successful “Halloween” sequel trilogy with “The Exorcist: Believer,” the first of three movies in the works. The...
- 10/4/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Universal/Blumhouse/Morgan Creek’s The Exorcist: Believer will continue horror’s head-spinning roll at the autumn box office with a $30M-$36M domestic start at 3,600 locations.
Currently, the R-rated reboot/sequel is trending demo-wise like The Nun 2, which saw a $32.6M opening, meaning it’s great with the 18-34 demographic, Hispanic and Latino audiences as well as older guys. Nun 2 skewed a tad more female at 52%, and it’s expected that this David Gordon Green-directed Exorcist installment will be around an even split as well. Universal will have Imax and Plf screens with previews starting Thursday at 5 p.m. We hear production cost of The Exorcist: Believer is $30M before P&a.
Related: Who Are The Ultimate Final Girls in Horror Gallery: From ‘Laurie Strode’, to ‘Sidney Prescott’ & ‘Dorothy Gale’
In the midst of an actors strike where talent can’t promote, branded horror has posted...
Currently, the R-rated reboot/sequel is trending demo-wise like The Nun 2, which saw a $32.6M opening, meaning it’s great with the 18-34 demographic, Hispanic and Latino audiences as well as older guys. Nun 2 skewed a tad more female at 52%, and it’s expected that this David Gordon Green-directed Exorcist installment will be around an even split as well. Universal will have Imax and Plf screens with previews starting Thursday at 5 p.m. We hear production cost of The Exorcist: Believer is $30M before P&a.
Related: Who Are The Ultimate Final Girls in Horror Gallery: From ‘Laurie Strode’, to ‘Sidney Prescott’ & ‘Dorothy Gale’
In the midst of an actors strike where talent can’t promote, branded horror has posted...
- 10/3/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After Universal decided to go early with The Exorcist: Believer, the Blumhouse/Morgan Creek sequel reboot is eyeing a $30M+ opening on tracking, Deadline has learned from sources.
Currently we hear the R-rated movie is great with women under 25 in terms of first choice and unaided awareness, and that it’s looking similar to Paramount/Spyglass’ 2022 Scream which debuted to $30M.
Even if Exorcist: Believer opens in the high $20Ms, Uni/Blumhouse/Morgan Creek can still easily declare that it’s a record opening for the franchise. While the legendary pic’s heyday was in 1973 with the original being ultimately grossing a lifetime of $233M stateside, box office opening weekends weren’t recorded nationally at that point in time by the industry. 1990’s Exorcist III opened to $9.3M,...
Currently we hear the R-rated movie is great with women under 25 in terms of first choice and unaided awareness, and that it’s looking similar to Paramount/Spyglass’ 2022 Scream which debuted to $30M.
Even if Exorcist: Believer opens in the high $20Ms, Uni/Blumhouse/Morgan Creek can still easily declare that it’s a record opening for the franchise. While the legendary pic’s heyday was in 1973 with the original being ultimately grossing a lifetime of $233M stateside, box office opening weekends weren’t recorded nationally at that point in time by the industry. 1990’s Exorcist III opened to $9.3M,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
"The Exorcist" remains one of the most frightening and intense horror films to this day. Even after 50 years, time has done little to diminish its power to shock and terrify audiences. Based on the popular novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, director William Friedkin's "The Exorcist" was a massive hit among moviegoers who were thrilled by its story of a sweet young girl getting possessed by a demon who forces her to commit all kinds of obscene and horrible acts.
Despite the positive response from audiences and critics alike, the film also generated considerable controversy for its graphic nature and religious themes, with some even claiming that there was an evil in the celluloid itself. Still, all of the wild stories only added to the movie's legacy, further cementing its place in cinema history.
Because the original 1973 film gets all the attention, it's easy to forget...
Despite the positive response from audiences and critics alike, the film also generated considerable controversy for its graphic nature and religious themes, with some even claiming that there was an evil in the celluloid itself. Still, all of the wild stories only added to the movie's legacy, further cementing its place in cinema history.
Because the original 1973 film gets all the attention, it's easy to forget...
- 9/9/2023
- by Joe Garza
- Slash Film
It’s 30 years this June since Jurassic Park roared into theaters. The monster franchise now boasts six films: 1993’s Jp, 1997’s The Lost World, and 2001’s Jurassic Park III — all tracking paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill), paleo-botanist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and “chaotician” Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) — and the 2015–22 reboot trilogy of Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom, and Dominion, led by raptor trainer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and park exec Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard). (Credit: John Wilson / © Universal Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection) Which is the indomitable best? Dominion should reign supreme, since it united the stars of both eras. Sadly, the ludicrous script and paltry interaction between the two casts proved to be the worst thing to happen to dinosaurs since that meteor hit Earth. It’s clear the classic remains the champ (although World is a close second). It gave us a truly terrifying T. rex and, through groundbreaking effects,...
- 6/3/2023
- TV Insider
Scott Haze of Venom and Jurassic World: Dominion and Kate Lyn Sheil of The Sacrament and She Dies Tomorrow star in the upcoming horror thriller The Seeding, which will be having its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival next month.
The feature directorial debut of writer/director Barnaby Clay, The Seeding has the following synopsis: When a hiker gets lost in the desert, a gang of feral children propelled by haunting legacies traps him in a sadistic battle for survival with a frightening endgame.
The Tribeca write-up offers some more information: We can probably agree that growing up is hell, but growing up alone in the desert is another kind of hell altogether. That’s what one hiker (Scott Haze) finds out when he encounters a lost child while photographing a solar eclipse. What starts as an act of good Samaritanism turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse game between him,...
The feature directorial debut of writer/director Barnaby Clay, The Seeding has the following synopsis: When a hiker gets lost in the desert, a gang of feral children propelled by haunting legacies traps him in a sadistic battle for survival with a frightening endgame.
The Tribeca write-up offers some more information: We can probably agree that growing up is hell, but growing up alone in the desert is another kind of hell altogether. That’s what one hiker (Scott Haze) finds out when he encounters a lost child while photographing a solar eclipse. What starts as an act of good Samaritanism turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse game between him,...
- 5/30/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
A new sequel to the 1973 horror classic "The Exorcist" has been in the works since at least 2020, when Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment announced that "Halloween" reboot director David Gordon Green would head the project. Now, Universal Pictures has finally debuted the first footage of what is being officially called "The Exorcist: Believer" at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, giving audiences a taste of what to expect from the film.
"The Exorcist" series has always had a loose sense of continuity, so it's not surprising that "Believer" will choose to ignore the majority of the sequels that came before it. Technically speaking, the notoriously terrible "Exorcist II: The Heretic" is the only true direct follow-up to the original movie, and its general reputation as one of the worst horror film sequels ever made immediately put the then-burgeoning franchise in jeopardy. "The Exorcist III" is much better, but most of it plays out as a standalone film,...
"The Exorcist" series has always had a loose sense of continuity, so it's not surprising that "Believer" will choose to ignore the majority of the sequels that came before it. Technically speaking, the notoriously terrible "Exorcist II: The Heretic" is the only true direct follow-up to the original movie, and its general reputation as one of the worst horror film sequels ever made immediately put the then-burgeoning franchise in jeopardy. "The Exorcist III" is much better, but most of it plays out as a standalone film,...
- 4/27/2023
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
CinemaCon was possessed by some serious scares with the first footage from David Gordon Green’s upcoming sequel to “The Exorcist.” A first look at the film, which is officially called “The Exorcist: Believer,” is a direct sequel to William Friedkin’s record-making 1973 original, and was revealed during Universal Pictures’ slate presentation during this week’s convention in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace, introduced by producer Jason Blum and director David Gordon Green.
The film is the first of three new movies intended for theaters, with “Believer” hitting screens this October 13.
The original based on the book by William Peter Blatty spawned two sequels and two prequels (“The Beginning” and “Dominion”). The new film is indie turned studio director David Gordon Green’s latest horror foray after helming the most recent “Halloween” trilogy, which he’s moving on from. This “Exorcist” alters the continuity of the past sequels and...
The film is the first of three new movies intended for theaters, with “Believer” hitting screens this October 13.
The original based on the book by William Peter Blatty spawned two sequels and two prequels (“The Beginning” and “Dominion”). The new film is indie turned studio director David Gordon Green’s latest horror foray after helming the most recent “Halloween” trilogy, which he’s moving on from. This “Exorcist” alters the continuity of the past sequels and...
- 4/27/2023
- by Brian Welk and Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
William Friedkin's "The Exorcist" is one of the best horror movies ever made, which makes it by extension one of the best movies ever made at all. But it's not just a powerful dramatic exploration of faith in an increasingly secular society, and it's not just a terrifically scary motion picture that stunned audiences; it was also a gigantic mega-blockbuster by any reasonable measure. If you adjust for inflation to determine how much "The Exorcist" would have made theatrically at today's ticket prices, you'll find it would have made over a billion dollars domestically, ranking it the ninth-highest-grossing movie in the history of the American box office. That's more than "Avengers: Endgame" or "Avatar."
So regardless of how excellent the original film was, "The Exorcist" was still a huge financial success, and we all know what happens to huge financial successes -- they get sequels. And "The Exorcist" had some very strange sequels.
So regardless of how excellent the original film was, "The Exorcist" was still a huge financial success, and we all know what happens to huge financial successes -- they get sequels. And "The Exorcist" had some very strange sequels.
- 4/14/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
After Marjorie Taylor Greene once again called for red states to secede from the United States, “The View” host Sunny Hostin is pretty sure the Georgia congresswoman is unaware of how and why the Civil War actually started.
Shortly after the reveal that President Joe Biden secretly traveled to Ukraine on Monday, Greene claimed Biden “chose Ukraine over America” by visiting the wartime nation on a federal holiday. She later tweeted, “We need a national divorce. We need to separate by red states and blue states and shrink the federal government. Everyone I talk to says this. From the sick and disgusting woke culture issues shoved down our throats to the Democrat’s traitorous America Last policies, we are done.”
Also Read:
Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls for Red State Secession (Again), Gets Dragged (Again): ‘Aren’t You Already Getting a Divorce?’
Obviously, the idea of a separation of governments...
Shortly after the reveal that President Joe Biden secretly traveled to Ukraine on Monday, Greene claimed Biden “chose Ukraine over America” by visiting the wartime nation on a federal holiday. She later tweeted, “We need a national divorce. We need to separate by red states and blue states and shrink the federal government. Everyone I talk to says this. From the sick and disgusting woke culture issues shoved down our throats to the Democrat’s traitorous America Last policies, we are done.”
Also Read:
Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls for Red State Secession (Again), Gets Dragged (Again): ‘Aren’t You Already Getting a Divorce?’
Obviously, the idea of a separation of governments...
- 2/21/2023
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
Whoopi Goldberg had some blunt words for presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Monday, after the former governor of South Carolina called for “a new generation of Republican leadership” in her campaign ads. According to the host of “The View,” it’s a little hypocritical, considering Haley’s own age.
In her most recent campaign ads, Haley said “The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again. It’s time for a new generation of leadership.” The concept of “a new generation” is one she’s repeated often, making a clear dig at the age of President Joe Biden, and presumably, twice-impeached former President Donald Trump.
But, like we said, Whoopi wasn’t overly moved by Haley’s call for this particular change.
“You’re not a new generation, you’re 51,” Whoopi said. “What are you talking about?
Also Read:
‘The View’ Host Sunny Hostin Booed by Audience...
In her most recent campaign ads, Haley said “The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again. It’s time for a new generation of leadership.” The concept of “a new generation” is one she’s repeated often, making a clear dig at the age of President Joe Biden, and presumably, twice-impeached former President Donald Trump.
But, like we said, Whoopi wasn’t overly moved by Haley’s call for this particular change.
“You’re not a new generation, you’re 51,” Whoopi said. “What are you talking about?
Also Read:
‘The View’ Host Sunny Hostin Booed by Audience...
- 2/20/2023
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
John Oliver returned for his 10th season of “Last Week Tonight” on Sunday, and to kick things off, he honed in on an old target: Fox News. Specifically, Oliver noted that the bombshell texts revealed by Dominion Voting Systems really should make Fox News viewers feel “betrayed.”
In a new court filing on Thursday, Dominion Voting provided texts, emails and other forms of communication between Fox News hosts from after the 2020 election, in which they called out some of the network’s guests for perpetuating unsupported claims that voting was electronically rigged against twice-impeached former president Donald Trump.
Also Read:
John Oliver Finally Disposes of Creepy Dolls That Washed Up on Texas Beach in a Very John Oliver Way (Video)
Among the messages were ones that said things like “Sidney Powell is lying,” sent from Tucker Carlson to his producer Alex Pfeiffer on Nov. 16, less than two weeks after the election,...
In a new court filing on Thursday, Dominion Voting provided texts, emails and other forms of communication between Fox News hosts from after the 2020 election, in which they called out some of the network’s guests for perpetuating unsupported claims that voting was electronically rigged against twice-impeached former president Donald Trump.
Also Read:
John Oliver Finally Disposes of Creepy Dolls That Washed Up on Texas Beach in a Very John Oliver Way (Video)
Among the messages were ones that said things like “Sidney Powell is lying,” sent from Tucker Carlson to his producer Alex Pfeiffer on Nov. 16, less than two weeks after the election,...
- 2/20/2023
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
I can think of a few living filmmakers better suited to making an "Exorcist" movie than Paul Schrader. From the existential rage and self-loathing of Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver," through the spiritual torment of Jesus in "The Last Temptation of Christ," to the doubting pastors of "Affliction" and "First Reformed," Schrader has spent much of his career exploring matters of the soul. As Roger Ebert once noted, "One thing [Schrader's] movies have in common is a very strong, visible sense of sin."
So who better to direct an "Exorcist" prequel after William Peter Blatty's flawed "The Exorcist III" marked a return to form for the series after the loopy metaphysics of John Boorman's "Exorcist II: The Heretic?" Surely if anyone could get to the bottom of Father Merrin's past exploits, it would be Schrader, right?
Problems arose because Schrader was only Morgan Creek's third pick to direct the movie.
So who better to direct an "Exorcist" prequel after William Peter Blatty's flawed "The Exorcist III" marked a return to form for the series after the loopy metaphysics of John Boorman's "Exorcist II: The Heretic?" Surely if anyone could get to the bottom of Father Merrin's past exploits, it would be Schrader, right?
Problems arose because Schrader was only Morgan Creek's third pick to direct the movie.
- 2/18/2023
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
The two "Exorcist" prequels, "Exorcist: The Beginning" and "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist," offer something that may be unique in the whole of cinema; a strange case of one actor playing the same character in two different versions of the same film shot back-to-back. Oh, and the first version was only released after the second proved a total dog. It's a story of epic studio interference that makes the tacked-on ending William Peter Blatty was forced to shoot for "The Exorcist III" seem like a minor tweak. Morgan Creek studio head James G. Robinson was the person responsible for that change, and he one-upped himself when it came to the prequel.
After two directors parted company with the project, he hired Paul Schrader. That might seem like a shrewd choice given the subject matter of doubting priests and matters of the soul, something that Schrader has wrestled with in his...
After two directors parted company with the project, he hired Paul Schrader. That might seem like a shrewd choice given the subject matter of doubting priests and matters of the soul, something that Schrader has wrestled with in his...
- 2/2/2023
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
‘The Ultimate Stephen King Quiz Book’ Is a Must-Have for Constant Readers [The Losers’ Club Podcast]
To date, Stephen King has published 65 novels, 11 collections, five non-fiction books, and over 200 short stories. That’s all without including the screenplays, the adaptations, the essays, and the list goes on. For Constant Readers, it can be overwhelming trying to keep tabs on all things that serve the beam that is King’s Dominion.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped them from trying.
That notion isn’t lost on UK author and musician Dave Musson, who has just published The Ultimate Stephen King Quiz Book. Featuring more than 3,000 questions spread across 172 individual, 19-question quizzes that cover every novel, collection, and adaptation, it’s what Musson has aptly billed “a true test for Constant Readers everywhere.”
Naturally, the Losers had to take him up on the challenge, and so they’ve invited Musson on to quiz them using the very questions from his book. He also weighs in on how he...
Of course, that hasn’t stopped them from trying.
That notion isn’t lost on UK author and musician Dave Musson, who has just published The Ultimate Stephen King Quiz Book. Featuring more than 3,000 questions spread across 172 individual, 19-question quizzes that cover every novel, collection, and adaptation, it’s what Musson has aptly billed “a true test for Constant Readers everywhere.”
Naturally, the Losers had to take him up on the challenge, and so they’ve invited Musson on to quiz them using the very questions from his book. He also weighs in on how he...
- 12/2/2022
- by Michael Roffman
- bloody-disgusting.com
When the news dropped about Warner Bros. deciding to shelve "Batgirl," "Scoob!: Holiday Haunt," and potentially other projects being produced for HBO Max, it struck a lot of us as a fairly unprecedented move. For "Batgirl" in particular, the size of the budget (a reported 90 million) and its connection to a popular franchise make it an even more startling that this decision has happened. The implications of using productions that artists spend years working on as mere tax loophole fodder sets a fairly depressing precedent for how studios can operate in the future.
However, this is not the first time a nearly completed film has been shelved by a studio. It's not even the first one shelved by Warner Bros. since the turn of the 21st Century. In fact, one shelved production also happened to connect to a very well-known franchise, and next year, we will see a new entry...
However, this is not the first time a nearly completed film has been shelved by a studio. It's not even the first one shelved by Warner Bros. since the turn of the 21st Century. In fact, one shelved production also happened to connect to a very well-known franchise, and next year, we will see a new entry...
- 8/31/2022
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
Universal Pictures and NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock, in partnership with Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, have closed a reported $400 million-plus deal to purchase worldwide rights for a new Exorcist franchise that will see Ellen Burstyn reprise her role as the mother of a demon-possessed child.
To be directed by David Gordon Green (Halloween), the franchise will star Hamilton‘s Leslie Odom Jr. as the father of a possessed child who seeks out the aid of Burstyn’s Exorcist character Chris MacNeil, mother of the possessed Regan MacNeil (played in the original 1973 film by Linda Blair).
According to Universal, the franchise will encompass three films in total and is described as a “continuation,” rather than a remake, of the 1973 original, which was directed by William Friedkin and adapted by William Peter Blatty based on his novel.
Burstyn did not participate in any of the previous – and mostly panned – Exorcist sequels or prequels,...
To be directed by David Gordon Green (Halloween), the franchise will star Hamilton‘s Leslie Odom Jr. as the father of a possessed child who seeks out the aid of Burstyn’s Exorcist character Chris MacNeil, mother of the possessed Regan MacNeil (played in the original 1973 film by Linda Blair).
According to Universal, the franchise will encompass three films in total and is described as a “continuation,” rather than a remake, of the 1973 original, which was directed by William Friedkin and adapted by William Peter Blatty based on his novel.
Burstyn did not participate in any of the previous – and mostly panned – Exorcist sequels or prequels,...
- 7/26/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
A sequel to the classic 1973 horror film “The Exorcist” is in the works.
The Observer reported on Monday that David Gordon Green (2018’s “Halloween”) is in talks to direct the upcoming sequel, which will hail from Blumhouse Productions and Morgan Creek. Per the publication, Jason Blum, David Robinson and James Robinson will serve as executive producers on the film, which does not have a release date.
Additional details about the upcoming film, including casting, plot, and a prospective release date, were not provided.
Observer’s report came several days after William Friedkin, the director behind the original “The Exorcist,” stated that he would not be involved in any new versions of his horror film. The success of “The Exorcist” led to a variety of spinoffs, none of which Friedkin was involved with. Sequels to Friedkin’s horror classic have suffered poor critical receptions; Paul Scrader’s “Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,...
The Observer reported on Monday that David Gordon Green (2018’s “Halloween”) is in talks to direct the upcoming sequel, which will hail from Blumhouse Productions and Morgan Creek. Per the publication, Jason Blum, David Robinson and James Robinson will serve as executive producers on the film, which does not have a release date.
Additional details about the upcoming film, including casting, plot, and a prospective release date, were not provided.
Observer’s report came several days after William Friedkin, the director behind the original “The Exorcist,” stated that he would not be involved in any new versions of his horror film. The success of “The Exorcist” led to a variety of spinoffs, none of which Friedkin was involved with. Sequels to Friedkin’s horror classic have suffered poor critical receptions; Paul Scrader’s “Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,...
- 12/22/2020
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
“Halloween” filmmaker David Gordon Green is in talks to direct a sequel to “The Exorcist” from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Productions.
The new film would continue the profitable relationship between the filmmaker and Blumhouse following 2018’s “Halloween” (which earned $255 million on a $10 million budget), the upcoming “Halloween Kills” (slated for an October 2021 release) and the new trilogy’s final film “Halloween Ends.” Green co-wrote, produced and directed the three “Halloween” films, which serve as the 11th, 12th and 13th films in the franchise that made icons of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Michael Myers.
The original “Exorcist” film — starring Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair and Max von Sydow — was directed by William Friedkin. The 1973 release went on to earn $193 million at the box office and ultimate cult status among fans, in addition to the adapted screenplay Oscar for author William Peter Blatty. Among the film’s 10 Oscar nominations, including best picture,...
The new film would continue the profitable relationship between the filmmaker and Blumhouse following 2018’s “Halloween” (which earned $255 million on a $10 million budget), the upcoming “Halloween Kills” (slated for an October 2021 release) and the new trilogy’s final film “Halloween Ends.” Green co-wrote, produced and directed the three “Halloween” films, which serve as the 11th, 12th and 13th films in the franchise that made icons of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Michael Myers.
The original “Exorcist” film — starring Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair and Max von Sydow — was directed by William Friedkin. The 1973 release went on to earn $193 million at the box office and ultimate cult status among fans, in addition to the adapted screenplay Oscar for author William Peter Blatty. Among the film’s 10 Oscar nominations, including best picture,...
- 12/22/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic “The Exorcist” is the gift that keeps on giving, with a total of five films spawning out of William Peter Blatty’s source novel, and even a canceled Fox TV series from 2017. Reports emerged back in August that a reboot of the possession tale that started ’em all was in the works from Morgan Creek Entertainment, planned for theaters in 2021.
But director Friedkin is here to tell you that whatever “Exorcist” reboot or remake is in the cards, he has nothing to do with it. “There’s a rumor on IMDb that I’m involved with a new version of ‘The Exorcist,'” he tweeted this week. “This isn’t a rumor, it’s a flat-out lie. There’s not enough money or motivation in the world to get me to do this.”
Indeed, Friedkin hasn’t been involved with any of the “Exorcist” spinoff films,...
But director Friedkin is here to tell you that whatever “Exorcist” reboot or remake is in the cards, he has nothing to do with it. “There’s a rumor on IMDb that I’m involved with a new version of ‘The Exorcist,'” he tweeted this week. “This isn’t a rumor, it’s a flat-out lie. There’s not enough money or motivation in the world to get me to do this.”
Indeed, Friedkin hasn’t been involved with any of the “Exorcist” spinoff films,...
- 12/19/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
As the year winds down, streaming services appear to be taking a step back, licking their wounds from this strange pandemic production season, and looking to a hopefully brighter future. This is all to say that Hulu‘s list of new releases for December 2020 isn’t quite its most inspiring batch yet…and that’s Ok.
Hulu’s biggest original title this month is undoubtedly The Hardy Boys. This adaptation of the classic boy detective novels is aimed at younger audiences and will premiere on Dec. 4. Then, near the end of the month, Hulu is bringing a new season of a show that is decidedly not for younger audiences. Season 9 of the very funny and very Canadian Letterkenny arrives on Dec. 26.
Hulu also has some recent movies of note coming in December including Amy Seimetz’s diabolical She Dies Tomorrow on Dec. 4 and children’s movie The Secret Garden on Dec.
Hulu’s biggest original title this month is undoubtedly The Hardy Boys. This adaptation of the classic boy detective novels is aimed at younger audiences and will premiere on Dec. 4. Then, near the end of the month, Hulu is bringing a new season of a show that is decidedly not for younger audiences. Season 9 of the very funny and very Canadian Letterkenny arrives on Dec. 26.
Hulu also has some recent movies of note coming in December including Amy Seimetz’s diabolical She Dies Tomorrow on Dec. 4 and children’s movie The Secret Garden on Dec.
- 11/29/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Even though Halloween is already some time behind us, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy horror movies all year round. Indeed, sampling some of the best genre films during the festive season can be a good release from other commitments. To this end, Hulu is bringing us a few great horror titles for December, adding to what will be a strong lineup of content for the streaming service next month. What pictures, then, should people expect on the platform?
Well, older options include the Alaska-set vampire story 30 Days of Night from 2007, wherein a town has to survive a month of darkness while fending off bloodsuckers. Josh Hartnett and Melissa George are among the cast in this underrated comic book adaptation from David Slade.
Meanwhile, for those curious about how The Exorcist franchise became something of a trainwreck, Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist was the Paul Schrader version...
Well, older options include the Alaska-set vampire story 30 Days of Night from 2007, wherein a town has to survive a month of darkness while fending off bloodsuckers. Josh Hartnett and Melissa George are among the cast in this underrated comic book adaptation from David Slade.
Meanwhile, for those curious about how The Exorcist franchise became something of a trainwreck, Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist was the Paul Schrader version...
- 11/21/2020
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, as the various streaming services are stocking their libraries with some great new titles this December to keep us going through the festive period. When it comes to Hulu, the Disney-owned platform is adding a few holiday-related movies and TV shows, but is mostly taking the track of stuffing itself full of classic films that the whole family can enjoy.
This includes a bunch of the best James Bond pics ever made, like GoldenEye, The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldfinger and, the one that kicked it all off, Dr. No. That would be a perfect watch to honor Sean Connery, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Other action movies you might want to check out this December, meanwhile, include The Hurt Locker, The Fifth Element, 2003’s Hulk and the two “Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon” flicks, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.
This includes a bunch of the best James Bond pics ever made, like GoldenEye, The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldfinger and, the one that kicked it all off, Dr. No. That would be a perfect watch to honor Sean Connery, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Other action movies you might want to check out this December, meanwhile, include The Hurt Locker, The Fifth Element, 2003’s Hulk and the two “Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon” flicks, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.
- 11/19/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
On the 28th edition of the annual Halloween-themed “Treehouse of Horror” episode of “The Simpsons,” baby Maggie is possessed by a demon, and the voices of those tasked with exorcising it sound familiar to diehard horror fans: One of them is Ben Daniels, star of the Fox show “The Exorcist,” and the other is William Friedkin, who directed the 1973 movie.
Friedkin’s legacy extends far beyond that movie; two years earlier, he swept the Oscars with “The French Connection,” and later delivered “Sorcerer” and “To Live and Die in L.A.” The past decade found Friedkin continuing to produce edgy work, including two Tracy Letts plays (“Bug” and “Killer Joe”), numerous operas, and now a documentary, “The Devil and Father Amorth,” which premiered this fall at the Venice International Film Festival and explores the real-life context that inspired “The Exorcist.”
While visiting Lyon to deliver a masterclass at the Lumiere Festival,...
Friedkin’s legacy extends far beyond that movie; two years earlier, he swept the Oscars with “The French Connection,” and later delivered “Sorcerer” and “To Live and Die in L.A.” The past decade found Friedkin continuing to produce edgy work, including two Tracy Letts plays (“Bug” and “Killer Joe”), numerous operas, and now a documentary, “The Devil and Father Amorth,” which premiered this fall at the Venice International Film Festival and explores the real-life context that inspired “The Exorcist.”
While visiting Lyon to deliver a masterclass at the Lumiere Festival,...
- 10/27/2017
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
On the 28th edition of the annual Halloween-themed “Treehouse of Horror” episode of “The Simpsons,” baby Maggie is possessed by a demon, and the voices of those tasked with exorcising it sound familiar to diehard horror fans: One of them is Ben Daniels, star of the Fox show “The Exorcist,” and the other is William Friedkin, who directed the 1973 movie.
Friedkin’s legacy extends far beyond that movie; two years earlier, he swept the Oscars with “The French Connection,” and later delivered “Sorcerer” and “To Live and Die in L.A.” The past decade found Friedkin continuing to produce edgy work, including two Tracy Letts plays (“Bug” and “Killer Joe”), numerous operas, and now a documentary, “The Devil and Father Amorth,” which premiered this fall at the Venice International Film Festival and explores the real-life context that inspired “The Exorcist.”
While visiting Lyon to deliver a masterclass at the Lumiere Festival,...
Friedkin’s legacy extends far beyond that movie; two years earlier, he swept the Oscars with “The French Connection,” and later delivered “Sorcerer” and “To Live and Die in L.A.” The past decade found Friedkin continuing to produce edgy work, including two Tracy Letts plays (“Bug” and “Killer Joe”), numerous operas, and now a documentary, “The Devil and Father Amorth,” which premiered this fall at the Venice International Film Festival and explores the real-life context that inspired “The Exorcist.”
While visiting Lyon to deliver a masterclass at the Lumiere Festival,...
- 10/27/2017
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Fox’s new horror drama “The Exorcist,” loosely based on the William Peter Blatty novel of the same name and portrayed as a sequel to William Friedkin’s 1973 film of the same name, premiered this past September to mostly positive reviews. Now, the season finale is soon upon us and the demon will stop at nothing to destroy Angela Rance (Geena Davis) and her family. Their hope lies in Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels), but with the enemies of church mobilizing against Pope Sebastian (guest star Bruce Davison), time is running out for everyone. Watch a clip from the finale below and check out some exclusive photos.
Read More: ‘The Exorcist’ Review: Fox Hopes One Big Twist Will Compel You to Return in Slow-Burn Premiere (Spoilers)
Blatty’s original 1971 novel “The Exorcist” was inspired by a 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism. It later...
Read More: ‘The Exorcist’ Review: Fox Hopes One Big Twist Will Compel You to Return in Slow-Burn Premiere (Spoilers)
Blatty’s original 1971 novel “The Exorcist” was inspired by a 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism. It later...
- 12/16/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Despite having a reputation as one of the greatest horror movies ever made, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist was never really able to find its footing as a franchise, despite the best efforts of Hollywood executives to make it happen. Each of the three sequels in the series experienced major post-production woes: Exorcist II: The Heretic was recut by director John Boorman after its premiere. Paul Schrader’s Exorcist sequel, intended to be the fourth film in the franchise, was so poorly received by studio execs that it was largely reshot and recut with director Renny Harlin at the helm, released in 2004 as Exorcist: The Beginning. Schrader’s own version came out one year later as Dominion: A Prequel to the Exorcist, making what I think is the first (and only?) time in history that two completely different versions of the same movie were released in theaters. Neither was a success.
- 11/7/2016
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
Joseph Baxter Sep 20, 2016
Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe star in Paul Schrader's new movie, Dog Eat Dog. Here's the trailer...
Based on the 1995 novel of the same name by real-life ex-criminal Edward Bunker, the Cleveland-set Dog Eat Dog centres on utterly irredeemable ne’er-do-well ex-cons Troy (Nicolas Cage), Mad Dog (Willem Dafoe) and their heavy hitter Diesel (The Walking Dead's Christopher Matthew Cook) who take on the terrible task of kidnapping a dangerous gangster’s one-year-old baby! However, unlike with Cage’s signature (also ex-con) role in the Coen Brothers’ Raising Arizona, said infant abduction does not at all go as planned, resulting in our repugnant protagonists going on the run from the law and from the gangster baby-daddy in question. What ensues is a wanton spree of brutal bloodletting and body-dropping.
In the director’s chair for Dog Eat Dog (that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival) is Paul Schrader,...
Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe star in Paul Schrader's new movie, Dog Eat Dog. Here's the trailer...
Based on the 1995 novel of the same name by real-life ex-criminal Edward Bunker, the Cleveland-set Dog Eat Dog centres on utterly irredeemable ne’er-do-well ex-cons Troy (Nicolas Cage), Mad Dog (Willem Dafoe) and their heavy hitter Diesel (The Walking Dead's Christopher Matthew Cook) who take on the terrible task of kidnapping a dangerous gangster’s one-year-old baby! However, unlike with Cage’s signature (also ex-con) role in the Coen Brothers’ Raising Arizona, said infant abduction does not at all go as planned, resulting in our repugnant protagonists going on the run from the law and from the gangster baby-daddy in question. What ensues is a wanton spree of brutal bloodletting and body-dropping.
In the director’s chair for Dog Eat Dog (that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival) is Paul Schrader,...
- 9/19/2016
- Den of Geek
If you’re a fan of Nicolas Cage or Willem Dafoe, you’ve gotta watch this trailer for their upcoming crime comedy Dog Eat Dog. This movie looks completely unhinged! The movie was directed by Paul Schrader, who previously directed Cage in a film called The Cold Dying of the Light, which turned out to be a complete mess because the studio took it over and ruined it when they recut it. Schrader, who previously directed films such as Cat People, Auto Focus, and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist, had final cut on this latest project, so it turned out to be exactly what he wanted this time around. it looks like it could be fun, but it got mixed reviews when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, so we’ll just have to wait and see. I’m just on board with seeing Dafoe and Cage in a crazy movie together like this.
- 8/13/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
It’s been summoned forth to the brink of production before being condemned to the fiery pits of development hell. However, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Fox has ordered a TV pilot of The Exorcist.
Three years ago, it was Martha Marcy May Marlene director Sean Durkin that was attached to adapt William Blatty’s spine-chilling novel to the small screen, though once the project began spinning its wheels Durkin soon moved on. Leave it to Jeremy Slater (Fantastic Four), then, to pen the screenplay, with plans in place for James Robinson, David Robinson and Barbara Wall to executive produce.
Morgan Creek, holders of The Exorcist license, was once eyeing a TV reboot to coincide with the 40th anniversary of William Friedkin’s seminal horror masterpiece, though a prolonged spell in pre-production ultimately placed the project on the back-burner. Now, Slater’s rendition has been offered a new lease of life,...
Three years ago, it was Martha Marcy May Marlene director Sean Durkin that was attached to adapt William Blatty’s spine-chilling novel to the small screen, though once the project began spinning its wheels Durkin soon moved on. Leave it to Jeremy Slater (Fantastic Four), then, to pen the screenplay, with plans in place for James Robinson, David Robinson and Barbara Wall to executive produce.
Morgan Creek, holders of The Exorcist license, was once eyeing a TV reboot to coincide with the 40th anniversary of William Friedkin’s seminal horror masterpiece, though a prolonged spell in pre-production ultimately placed the project on the back-burner. Now, Slater’s rendition has been offered a new lease of life,...
- 1/25/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Morgan Creek might need the Power of Christ to compel William Friedkin to see the reboot of The Exorcist as a good thing.
The director took to Twitter to denounce the plans for a new version of his horror classic, and aimed a broadside at the original sequels while he was at it.
"I Completely denounce a remake of The Exorcist by Morgan Creek," he shared. "In my opinion, Morgan Creek has tarnished The Exorcist enough with its 'sequels'."
Dear HitFix...correction:
I Completely denounce a remake of
The Exorcist by Morgan Creek.
— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) September 26, 2015
In my opinion, Morgan Creek has
Tarnished The Exorcist enough, with its
"Sequels."
— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) September 24, 2015
Friedkin added that he didn't believe the production company had rights to the original film and only had them to its "so-called" sequels.
When asked if he would be involved in the remake if he was approached,...
The director took to Twitter to denounce the plans for a new version of his horror classic, and aimed a broadside at the original sequels while he was at it.
"I Completely denounce a remake of The Exorcist by Morgan Creek," he shared. "In my opinion, Morgan Creek has tarnished The Exorcist enough with its 'sequels'."
Dear HitFix...correction:
I Completely denounce a remake of
The Exorcist by Morgan Creek.
— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) September 26, 2015
In my opinion, Morgan Creek has
Tarnished The Exorcist enough, with its
"Sequels."
— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) September 24, 2015
Friedkin added that he didn't believe the production company had rights to the original film and only had them to its "so-called" sequels.
When asked if he would be involved in the remake if he was approached,...
- 9/27/2015
- Digital Spy
Despite a weak run of recent films (The Canyons, Dying Of The Light, Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist), Paul Schrader is still the guy who wrote Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. Amongst his better films as director, American Gigolo stands out. The 1980 film has had a lasting impact on films and now looks to be on the cusp of being a part of pop culture yet again. Jerry Bruckheimer, who served as producer on American Gigolo, is reportedly developing the film as a TV series. Bruckheimer would...
- 10/29/2014
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
Paul Schrader isn’t going gently into that good night. The Taxi Driver scribe and veteran director has found a way to address losing control over his latest film, the Nicolas Cage thriller Dying of the Light, which he says has been taken away from him ahead of its December 5 debut just two months after Lionsgate Home Entertainment acquired the film.
“We lost the battle,” Schrader wrote on Facebook Thursday. “Dying of the Light, a film I wrote and directed, was taken away from me, redited, scored and mixed without my imput [sic]. Yesterday Grindstone (a division of Lionsgate) released the poster and the trailer. They are available on line.”
Schrader famously lost a similar battle in 2003 when Morgan Creek Pictures and WB hired Renny Harlin to re-direct his Exorcist prequel The Exorcist: Dominion. His cut of the film was eventually released after Harlin’s version bombed, to slightly better reviews.
“We lost the battle,” Schrader wrote on Facebook Thursday. “Dying of the Light, a film I wrote and directed, was taken away from me, redited, scored and mixed without my imput [sic]. Yesterday Grindstone (a division of Lionsgate) released the poster and the trailer. They are available on line.”
Schrader famously lost a similar battle in 2003 when Morgan Creek Pictures and WB hired Renny Harlin to re-direct his Exorcist prequel The Exorcist: Dominion. His cut of the film was eventually released after Harlin’s version bombed, to slightly better reviews.
- 10/17/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Paul Schrader is no stranger to editing room battles. His travails during the production of "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist" are well documented, and in the case of last year's "The Canyons," screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis described the film Schrader turned in versus the one his script envisioned, and a similar scenario seems to have occurred during production of the director's upcoming movie, "The Dying Of The Light." Penned by Schrader, the film follows a C.I.A. agent who is afflicted with blindness while on his last mission. At one point a few years ago, Nicolas Winding Refn was slated to direct, but the project collapsed when Harrison Ford (who was set to star alongside Channing Tatum) and the filmmaker couldn't come to terms about the fate of his character. The movie was revived recently with Schrader now directing his own script, Refn staying on as a producer, and...
- 9/24/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Reviewed by Jesse Miller
Before Exorcist: The Beginning was set in motion, there was Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist, which was in production with a different cast and different director before its company, out of fear it wouldn’t be successful, shelved it.
They re-tooled the cast, hired Renny Harlin, gave him a bigger budget and told him to go nuts with it.
This new film would go on to become what we know as Exorcist: The Beginning. However, when The Beginning underperformed, the company decided to resurrect Dominion, reshoot what needed to be done and finally release it to see how that version went.
I can see why the studio feared this take on the prequel story – I mean, when you hear The Exorcist, what do you think? Spider-crawling, vulgar babble, spinning heads and oh yes – vomit, lots of that sweet pea soup vomit.
See, Dominion doesn’t actually...
Before Exorcist: The Beginning was set in motion, there was Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist, which was in production with a different cast and different director before its company, out of fear it wouldn’t be successful, shelved it.
They re-tooled the cast, hired Renny Harlin, gave him a bigger budget and told him to go nuts with it.
This new film would go on to become what we know as Exorcist: The Beginning. However, when The Beginning underperformed, the company decided to resurrect Dominion, reshoot what needed to be done and finally release it to see how that version went.
I can see why the studio feared this take on the prequel story – I mean, when you hear The Exorcist, what do you think? Spider-crawling, vulgar babble, spinning heads and oh yes – vomit, lots of that sweet pea soup vomit.
See, Dominion doesn’t actually...
- 9/24/2014
- by admin
- MoreHorror
Note: All timings are Pacific unless otherwise specified.
Friday, July 25
Cartoon Network's Uncle Grandpa & Clarence (10am, Indigo Ballroom)
Inside The Big Bang Theory's Writers' Room (10am, Ballroom 20)
Cartoon Networks' Adventure Time (11am, Indigo Ballroom)
Nickelodeon's Legend of Korra, Book 3 (11.15am, Ballroom 20)
iZombie (11.30am, Room 6Bcf)
Pilot screening and panel for the CW's new series. Actors Rose McIver, Malcolm Goodwin, Rahul Kohli and Robert Buckley, executive producers Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright.
My Little Pony (11.45am, Room 6A)
Adult Swim's Venture Bros (12.15pm, Indigo Ballroom)
The Walking Dead (12.20pm, Hall H)
Actors Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride,Chad Coleman, and Michael Cudlitz, executive producers Scott Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert, Greg Nicotero.
Bones (12.30pm, Ballroom 20)
Actors David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel, executive producer Stephen Nathan.
Resurrection (12.30pm, Room 6De)
Actors Omar Epps, Kurtwood Smith, Frances Fisher and Devin Kelley,...
Friday, July 25
Cartoon Network's Uncle Grandpa & Clarence (10am, Indigo Ballroom)
Inside The Big Bang Theory's Writers' Room (10am, Ballroom 20)
Cartoon Networks' Adventure Time (11am, Indigo Ballroom)
Nickelodeon's Legend of Korra, Book 3 (11.15am, Ballroom 20)
iZombie (11.30am, Room 6Bcf)
Pilot screening and panel for the CW's new series. Actors Rose McIver, Malcolm Goodwin, Rahul Kohli and Robert Buckley, executive producers Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright.
My Little Pony (11.45am, Room 6A)
Adult Swim's Venture Bros (12.15pm, Indigo Ballroom)
The Walking Dead (12.20pm, Hall H)
Actors Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride,Chad Coleman, and Michael Cudlitz, executive producers Scott Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert, Greg Nicotero.
Bones (12.30pm, Ballroom 20)
Actors David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel, executive producer Stephen Nathan.
Resurrection (12.30pm, Room 6De)
Actors Omar Epps, Kurtwood Smith, Frances Fisher and Devin Kelley,...
- 7/25/2014
- Digital Spy
Though we don't have exact specs and there is no formal announcement, we couldn't help but share this latest sales sheet which shows that every single movie in the Exorcist franchise is getting set to hit Blu-ray! Read on for what we do know.
Judging from the ad below, The Exorcist, Exorcist II: The Heretic, Exorcist III, Exorcist: The Beginning, and Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist will all be available in the upcoming The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology Blu-ray box set.
In addition, almost each individual film will be available as a single release on September 23rd. The only film not getting a separate single release is Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist. Yep, if you want Paul Schrader's take on the story of Father Merrin, you're gonna have to pony up the extra cash.
The box set will cost $35.99, and the individual releases will run $16.99 each. Stay tuned for the official word.
Judging from the ad below, The Exorcist, Exorcist II: The Heretic, Exorcist III, Exorcist: The Beginning, and Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist will all be available in the upcoming The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology Blu-ray box set.
In addition, almost each individual film will be available as a single release on September 23rd. The only film not getting a separate single release is Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist. Yep, if you want Paul Schrader's take on the story of Father Merrin, you're gonna have to pony up the extra cash.
The box set will cost $35.99, and the individual releases will run $16.99 each. Stay tuned for the official word.
- 6/26/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Regan MacNeil, Father Lankester Merrin, Lieutenant William F. Kinderman: in The Exorcist film series, these and other characters encountered demons in varying ways, and soon you can experience each one’s trial by fire with the upcoming release of all six films in The Exorcist series on Blu-ray.
With a street date of September 23rd, Warner Bros. is spreading the high-definition treatment across The Exorcist series like never before. The 6-disc anthology Blu-ray will be listed at about $36.00, with each of the available individual Blu-ray releases set to sell for around $17.00.
While the original film, directed by William Friedkin and based on the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, had previously been released on Blu-ray in both its original and extended editions, the sequels have never received this type of high-definition upgrade. It should be noted that both director Renny Harlin’s (Exorcist: The Beginning) and Paul Schrader’s (Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist...
With a street date of September 23rd, Warner Bros. is spreading the high-definition treatment across The Exorcist series like never before. The 6-disc anthology Blu-ray will be listed at about $36.00, with each of the available individual Blu-ray releases set to sell for around $17.00.
While the original film, directed by William Friedkin and based on the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, had previously been released on Blu-ray in both its original and extended editions, the sequels have never received this type of high-definition upgrade. It should be noted that both director Renny Harlin’s (Exorcist: The Beginning) and Paul Schrader’s (Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist...
- 6/24/2014
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Warner Bros. is getting in on the "collection craze" and intends to bring The Exorcist series to Blu-ray. This will include The Exorcist, The Exorcist: Director's Cut, Exorcist II: The Heretic, The Exorcist III, Exorcist IV: The Beginning and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist. Special features haven't been revealed yet, however, we know it comes out on September 23rd. Below you'll find the official "sell" from WB. This is a bit of a bummer because I was sort of holding on to hope that Scream Factory would somehow leverage the relationship...
The post Exorcist Anthology Blu-ray Collection on the Way appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.
The post Exorcist Anthology Blu-ray Collection on the Way appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.
- 6/24/2014
- by Ryan Turek
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Though we don't have exact specs and there is no formal announcement, we couldn't help but share this latest sales sheet which shows that every single movie in the Exorcist franchise is getting set to hit Blu-ray! Read on for what we do know.
Judging from the ad below, The Exorcist, Exorcist II: The Heretic, Exorcist III, Exorcist: The Beginning, and Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist will all be available in the upcoming The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology Blu-ray box set.
In addition, almost each individual film will be available as a single release on September 23rd. The only film not getting a separate single release is Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist. Yep, if you want Paul Schrader's take on the story of Father Merrin, you're gonna have to pony up the extra cash.
The box set will cost $35.99, and the individual releases will run $16.99 each. Stay tuned for the official word.
Judging from the ad below, The Exorcist, Exorcist II: The Heretic, Exorcist III, Exorcist: The Beginning, and Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist will all be available in the upcoming The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology Blu-ray box set.
In addition, almost each individual film will be available as a single release on September 23rd. The only film not getting a separate single release is Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist. Yep, if you want Paul Schrader's take on the story of Father Merrin, you're gonna have to pony up the extra cash.
The box set will cost $35.99, and the individual releases will run $16.99 each. Stay tuned for the official word.
- 6/24/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Director Paul Schrader's seemingly inexorable decline continues in an irksome tale of double-crossing in Hollywood
Paul Schrader's Kickstarter-assisted micro-budget feature ($250,000 all in, apparently) is bookended with images of derelict movie houses and destitute projection booths, and includes an author's message exchange about how no one actually likes going to the movies anymore. This would be more poignant if the surrounding drama offered some sense of the great lost age of cinema for which old man Schrader hankers. Instead, we have a straight-to-video erotic thriller with irksome auteurist pretensions that merely confirms Schrader as an all-but spent force (it's been largely downhill since the dismal Dominion) and nails Bret Easton Ellis as a one-trick pony. Although the writer has complained that his script a vacuous tale of unconvincing Hollywood "types" screwing, double-crossing and stabbing each other, front and back was a "pranky" noir pastiche made drearily portentous by its director,...
Paul Schrader's Kickstarter-assisted micro-budget feature ($250,000 all in, apparently) is bookended with images of derelict movie houses and destitute projection booths, and includes an author's message exchange about how no one actually likes going to the movies anymore. This would be more poignant if the surrounding drama offered some sense of the great lost age of cinema for which old man Schrader hankers. Instead, we have a straight-to-video erotic thriller with irksome auteurist pretensions that merely confirms Schrader as an all-but spent force (it's been largely downhill since the dismal Dominion) and nails Bret Easton Ellis as a one-trick pony. Although the writer has complained that his script a vacuous tale of unconvincing Hollywood "types" screwing, double-crossing and stabbing each other, front and back was a "pranky" noir pastiche made drearily portentous by its director,...
- 5/10/2014
- by Mark Kermode, Observer film critic
- The Guardian - Film News
Foresight Unlimited and Envision Entertainment have come aboard to produce and finance The Englishman.
Director John Moore (A Good Day To Die Hard, Behind Enemy Lines) is attached to helm the film from a screenplay written by William Wisher (Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Foresight Unlimited will also be handling worldwide sales for the film.
Mark Damon will produce the $30M action film alongside James Gibb, Benedict Carver, Tim Peternel, and Moore.
The Englishman was developed by London-based Derby Street Films. Derby Street’s Nicola Horlick and Rachel Green are executive producing, together with Shaun Redick, Ray Mansfield, Ash Shah, Chris Hanley, Peter Veverka, and Foresight’s President, Tamara Birkemoe. Envision Entertainment’s Stepan Martirosyan, Vitaly Grigoriants, and Remington Chase will also be executive producers on the film.
Set to shoot in South Africa early next year, The Englishman is a true story based on the book “Once a Pilgrim” by Will Scully.
Director John Moore (A Good Day To Die Hard, Behind Enemy Lines) is attached to helm the film from a screenplay written by William Wisher (Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Foresight Unlimited will also be handling worldwide sales for the film.
Mark Damon will produce the $30M action film alongside James Gibb, Benedict Carver, Tim Peternel, and Moore.
The Englishman was developed by London-based Derby Street Films. Derby Street’s Nicola Horlick and Rachel Green are executive producing, together with Shaun Redick, Ray Mansfield, Ash Shah, Chris Hanley, Peter Veverka, and Foresight’s President, Tamara Birkemoe. Envision Entertainment’s Stepan Martirosyan, Vitaly Grigoriants, and Remington Chase will also be executive producers on the film.
Set to shoot in South Africa early next year, The Englishman is a true story based on the book “Once a Pilgrim” by Will Scully.
- 8/9/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
On Sunday, February 17th, FEARnet celebrates 40 years of The Exorcist with a marathon of all the franchise films starting at 2 pm Est, and to mark the occasion, we spoke with genre icon Linda Blair about her experiences making one of the most influential horror movies of all time.
During our exclusive interview, Blair discussed how The Exorcist continues to surprise her even after four decades of living with Regan MacNeil, her surreal experiences dealing with the press as a teenager, why William Friedkin's film is more than just a horror movie and much, much more.
Dread Central: I just rewatched The Exorcist for probably the 60th time last night, and I'm still amazed by the fact that every time I see it, it's almost a different experience for me as a viewer. When I was a kid, it was more about being scared for your character, and now, as an adult,...
During our exclusive interview, Blair discussed how The Exorcist continues to surprise her even after four decades of living with Regan MacNeil, her surreal experiences dealing with the press as a teenager, why William Friedkin's film is more than just a horror movie and much, much more.
Dread Central: I just rewatched The Exorcist for probably the 60th time last night, and I'm still amazed by the fact that every time I see it, it's almost a different experience for me as a viewer. When I was a kid, it was more about being scared for your character, and now, as an adult,...
- 2/16/2013
- by thehorrorchick
- DreadCentral.com
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