David Gordon Green has spent three films telling more of Laurie Strode’s story in the Halloween franchise, and this week it comes to an end with the release of Halloween ends. That doesn’t mean the director is done coming up with legacy sequels to beloved horror movies from years past, as he’s currently in pre-production for a new movie that will serve as a sequel to the exorcist. In a way similar to Jamie Lee Curtis returning for another run as Laurie Strode in the Halloween movies, the new exorcist film brings back original star Ellen Burstyn, marking her first appearance in the franchise since the first film was released in 1973.
Speak with Variety at the Halloween ends premiere, Green revealed that the plan for the exorcist is to start shooting the new movie in “a few weeks,” suggesting cameras will start rolling before the end of the month. As Green told Angelique Jackson, he couldn’t be more excited to be working on the film.
“We start in a few weeks and we are ready to roll up our sleeves and dive into the next great franchise. We’ve got a great cast coming together and scripts that we’re all excited about.”
Green also commented on what it was like to work with screen legends like Curtis and Burstyn on these types of projects. He explained how he is constantly asking them questions to get as much insight from them as possible and he has become quite close to Burstyn lately.
“In many of these experiences, I’m looking for talent that’s so established and insightful, so I just ask a lot of questions and hear about their perspective on the world and how that inspires their creativity. Ellen? Oh, we’re going deep. I and Ellen, it’s fun. It’s like calling your spiritual advisor. So we communicated on different levels, and that’s important for a project like this, to have that respect for what people have inside.”
The Exorcist Sequel Will Be Made A Movie Soon
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There can be a certain pressure that any filmmaker must feel when breathing new life into a beloved property. That said, he can only feel honored by taking the helm for Halloween and now the exorcist. He feels like he has his own stories to contribute to these movie universes and he loves that they arouse so much interest from fans.
“Honored to step into something so valuable in cinema history, and knowing that there is a fan base that is curious, aware, alert, possibly concerned, who see what we’re up to…but what I like, is that people say, ‘Is it stressful to have that?’ I say, ‘No, it’s exciting.’ Because I’ve spent so much of my life making movies and you’re begging an audience to tune in or see what’s going on or buy a movie ticket. Tell me, I’ve got a fantasy that I’m trying to express, and the way I can do that within these properties is an incredible opportunity.”
The new exorcist film, which is currently untitled, will be released on October 13, 2023, courtesy of Universal Pictures.