The Exorcist Remake: A mini-series written by Blatty, Directed by Friedkin!

Nov 13, 2009 Posted in Exorcist News, Exorcist Remake, Featured, interview | Comments

The Exorcist Remake: A mini-series written by Blatty, Directed by Friedkin!

Here’s one way to avoid a (potentially) horrible remake of The Exorcist: Have the author of the original novel and screenplay pen a brand new take of his own story as a television miniseries, then have the original director agree to direct.

That’s exactly what Exorcist scribe William Peter Blatty has done, and yes, director William Friedkin has agreed to direct.

So, a complete miniseries script exists AND a director is keen to go– THE ORIGINAL director of one of the greatest horror films of all time. Now all we need is a network and a budget! Anyone care to speculate?

William Peter Blatty revealed the news in a new extensive interview with Brian Freeman as part of Cemetery Dance Magazine’s 62nd issue (out now). Our good friend Ryan (Life Member and Partner of captainhowdy.com and webmaster of theninthconfiguration.com) dropped the news in the discussion forum earlier today, and included this excerpt:

Cemetery Dance Magazine: Looking back, is there anything you would change about the film now if you could?

William Peter Blatty: Yes and no. I would love to have been able to include the subplot involving Karl and his daughter Elvira, which I did in my first draft, 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.

I’ve always voiced my concerns about an Exorcist remake (mostly because the majority of remakes we see are absolutely horrendous). Even with some voicing concerns that the film is becoming dated (albeit gracefully) and a remake would ‘freshen’ things, it would be impossible to re-capture the magic of The Exorcist as it existed the first time you saw it. If ever I was to have confidence in a remake, it would be from a scenario like this one– with the original creators creatively behind it. I mean, who better to honour the original film and novel?

Even the most casual Exorcist fan would interested in the idea of a mini-series, I’d think. This would allow time for exploration of the extra plots from the original novel– all of which have their own level of intrigue and creepiness. And what are these extra scares Blatty is talking about?! How much scarier could the story of The Exorcist get?

Another thing to consider is how horror is ‘in’ on television right now. There’s a plethora of horror and supernatural oriented television shows airing at the moment, so it might be an idea to get The Exorcist mini series off the ground before the trend drops.

As far as I’m aware, Morgan Creek Productions still hold all production rights for anything bearing The Exorcist name, and Warner Brothers still own ditribution while also having a consistent television history. Perhaps someone needs to whisper in James G. Robinson’s ear (Chairman and CEO of Morgan Creek) and let him know a mini series of The Exorcist by the original creators is a damn fine idea.

I know I’m all for it.

The Cemetery Dance issue is absolutely chock-full of goodies for Exorcist fans and is definitely worth a read. It also includes a brand new Epilogue for The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty and a new Prologue to Exorcist III: Legion, among many other things to do with Blatty himself (including his controversial short story that is seeing print for the first time). I’ll be posting more information from it soon, but in the meantime you can check out The Ninth Configuration for complete scans (thanks again to Ryan!)

Carl Daigrepont

If you think about it, the Iraq prologue was VERY slow-pace and dragged-out.
The Kinderman investigation drags, too...mainly due to Lee J.Cobb's weary reading of the part.
The editing could be razor-sharp this time, leaving room for about 5 more minutes of the Karras/Demon discussions, three minutes for the "Karl's daughter"-thing, and finally an exorcisim that lasts 5 minutes longer than 8 minutes.
Do this and you can release the film Theatrically at about 150 minutes...the remake deserves a theatrical release.

no one there

For the love of god whatever they do, get german singer Nina Hagen to do the voice of Pazzuzu - please.

ringomusic

I think the number one question would be who plays Regan and who plays her mother. I figure the studios would cast an unknown as Regan and an established actress as her mom, but I wonder who? Also would any of the original actors have a cameo in the film?

mary

i believe the people who have seen the movies are ready for a mini-series it would be also a favor to me as well because i think the original movies are exceptionally good

rac1965

Yes do the miniseries remake!!! This has been my all time favorite movie since I saw it in the theaters in the seventies and I would love to see what can be done with the FX now. I would like to see it kept classy and without any modern hard core music, just classical like the original. Tubular Bells rules!!!

Brian

Horrible idea, regardless of who's writing and directing. Don't forget, the characters we all know and love were brought to life by amazing actors, the caliber of which, Hollywood is sorely lacking these days.

Captain_Howdy

I agree I'd rather NEVER see an Exorcist remake, but someone somewhere IS going to remake The Exorcist one day... I'd rather it be Friedkin and Blatty behind it than anyone else.

Captain_Howdy

Yes it is fantastic to have new shots of Blatty thanks to this new article and your scans. Very impressed.

Lord Westenra

Please, HBO or TNT or something...!

I'd like to see in the screen one of the creepiest moments (among others) in the novel for me, when Regan sings a psalm with the voice of a chorus boy: "Tantum ergo, sacramentum, veneremur cernui..."