It’s unusual for a horror picture to survive the test of time, much less win an Oscar and 10 other nominations. In 1974, after being the highest-grossing picture of ’73, William Friedkin’s divisive novel adaption The Exorcist accomplished just that, with Oscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn receiving most of the credit for the film’s success. Nearly half a century later, much to the pleasure of her admirers, Burstyn has consented to return to Pazuzu’s domain after repeatedly denying to reprise her role.
The actress talked about the agreement she made to return for David Gordon Green’s sequel in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The news that Green, whose Halloween trilogy concludes this October, will direct a new The Exorcist sequel sent shockwaves through the horror world when it was first revealed a little over a year ago. However, it was the news that Burstyn will reprise her role as Chris MacNeil, an actress and the doting mother of Regan, that truly drove fans into a frenzy (Linda Blair).
Fans were probably never going to see Burstyn again face off against old demons after two sequels and two prequels passed by without her. What, then, prompted the actress to resume a part she last played over half a century ago? Burstyn sat down for an interview to talk about her partnership with Pace University and the Actor’s Studio in New York. Burstyn, who is co-president of the organisation along with Al Pacino, said that preparations are underway for a “series of Sunday screenings” in honour of the Studio’s 75th anniversary.
The Actor’s Studio has played a significant role in the actress’s life since 1967, providing her with both professional training and an artistic philosophy from the likes of Marlon Brando and Paul Newman. Her dedication to the Studio sealed Burstyn’s vengeance against MacNeil. Burstyn’s dedication to the Actor’s Studio and her work as an actor ultimately won Green over, rather than his first and increased money offer.
The actress negotiated a scholarship scheme for Pace University: “I’ve really declined several adaptations of The Exorcist 2. Always, I’ve declined the offer. They offered me a lot of money this time, but I turned them down. They upped the offer, which caught me by surprise. To which I said, “OK, let me think about this.” That’s a lot of money, I thought. Allow me some time to consider that. The following idea entered my mind: “It’s like the devil’s trying to bargain with me for my soul.” And then I realised, “My price is a scholarship programme for very outstanding students in our master’s degree programme at Pace University.” My price is as stated. So I went back and made a bigger offer, and they accepted it. In addition, I fund a scholarship initiative for budding performers.”
Burstyn continued by saying that production on the first of Green’s three Exorcist pictures was largely complete. Fans of Green will be pleased to know that she loved working with the director and will be returning to the set in November to wrap out some remaining shoots. She also stated that the film had completed editing and will be released in 2024, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the original The Exorcist. In ’73, as Chris MacNeil, Burstyn gave arguably the most convincing performance ever seen in a film about demonic possession. The Exorcist was not a campy movie despite the inclusion of stereotypical horror elements like spinning heads and the now-iconic pea-soup vomit.
Rather, Burstyn gave us a mother who had been through hell and back and would do anything to protect her child. Chris MacNeil is definitely not a final girl, but she is also not someone to mess with. She played a single mom in the film who was raising her smart and sassy daughter Regan while still performing. Regan’s possession scene was believable in its entirety because of the strong mother-daughter relationship established between Burstyn and Blair in the brief amount of screen time before Regan’s possession.
Burstyn has also been in the films The Wicker Man as Sister SummersIsle, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, and Requiem for a Dream, in which she portrayed the devastating part of Sara Goldfarb, for which she won an Academy Award. Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. will join Burstyn in Green’s Exorcist revival as the father of a possessed child who comes to MacNeil for aid. Jason Blum, together with James and David Robinson of Morgan Creek, will be producing the trilogy for Blumhouse. On October 13, 2024, the demonic spirit of The Exorcist will take over movie theatres everywhere.