[jguthrie]

I love the Exorcist with a passion.  I also have spent a large part of my life studying film at the academic level.  I've always loved Jason Miller's performance more than anything in the film.  I've always had the thought of what if they had used another actor.  Stacy Keach, I believe, was originally signed (and I cannot imagine Keach as Karras personally).  Nicholson would have been good I think, considering he played those intellectual characters early in his career.  I, as a director, would have screened two other people for the coveted role had I been the auteur…..Firstly, a young Robert De Niro.  The “camera loves his face” as Friedkin would have put it.  I think, in a way, he would have been perfect.  I also would have screened a man that, in my opinion, would have made an excellent Karras……The Man In Black….Johnny Cash.  Call me crazy, but nobody was more pious and had that “chipped boxer face” like Cash…..Anybody here agree?

[Steve Dunlap]

I have to admit, I had a funny thought in my head:

 

The door opens to Regan's bedroom and in steps a man  dressed in severe black, with a forlorn look on his countenance as he gazes upon the scarred visage of Regan.

 

The DEMON:  I'm the Devil!

Man in Black:  Hello, Ah'm Johnny Cash.

 

😀

[fatherbowdern]

Cash would have made a clever formula for comedic relief. He did have the looks of Karras, but that voice would have sent shrill laughter throughout the audiences. I can only envision Miller versus Paul Newman, Stacy Keach, Jack Nicholson, etc. Of course, I thought Juliet Mills in the Beyond the Door was completely laughable after she appeared as the nanny in The Nanny and the Professor television show (1970-1971).

Father Bowdern

[jguthrie]

I don't believe anyone would have “laughed” at Cash.  He was bigger than life.  I do find it troublesome, however, that many of today's youth laugh at certain scenes in the film because their shock value edurance has dwindled due to today's vile horror/porn/torture films coming out by the dozens.  Cash was one of the most God fearing men in the history of entertainment.  You wouldn't find me laughing.

[Steve Dunlap]

I think it would've been interesting to see Cash as Karras, but he would have to pull some serious acting chops to have maintained credibility as Father Karras.  To my recollection, back then, I don't think country singers (or most musicians in general, regardless of genre) would've had the kind of acting gravitas necessary to  pull it off.  I don't know that he would've had the casual and naturalistic approach that Jason Miller had in that role.  I would be afraid that his lines would've sounded “read” and forced, and not expressed.

I also agree with your other point….the youth of today are extremely desensitized to almost all forms of violence and horror.   Even 6 year olds today just look and laugh, or show no sign of revulsion or terror.   With everything today being “right here, right now”…with no sense of build up or anticipation, true terror and horror just don't stand a chance.   Everything is cheapened with instant results.

 

But also remember this, jguthrie.   Laughter is often a way to shield some folks from genuine terror.   It's quite possible that some of these kids who laugh at such scenes are merely laughing to try and conceal their insecurity from viewing them.   I know it's a stretch, but it is a possibility.

[jguthrie]

I totally agree.  It is like laughing on a roller coaster ride.  Yes.  But, I thank the heavens for Jason Miller and his timeless performance…..I'm sure we can all agree on that.

---

[Steve Dunlap]

I do think Cash might have made a good background character….perhaps another priest who attended Chris MacNeil's party in the film.  Perhaps he could've have done some entertaining in a scene, much the way Father Dyer did on the piano.   A quick snippet of him singing a song, showing that his priest character (just like Dyer) had another passion besides the clergy.

[jguthrie]

Cash could have easily been a priest or a President…..the man was just simply larger than life…..with a true love for our Creator.  His music proves this.

[fatherbowdern]

Yeah, let's put a cameo of Cash singing “A Boy Named Sue” or “I Walk the Line.” 

Father Bowdern

[Ceru]

My name is Sue!  How do you do??  Now you gonna die!!  (Yeah, that's what I told him.)

And I'm The Devil!!  Now kindly undo these straps!

[Don]

Cash was pretty scary as a murderer on Columbo years ago.  Of course, his character was also a singer, a gospel singer no less.

[Author]

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