1973. It was a year of change. The UK entered the European Economic Community, the Vietnam war came to an end, The World Trade Center officially opened in New York City following a ribbon cutting ceremony, Egypt and Israel signed a US sponsored cease-fire agreement – and The Exorcist was released in theaters.
Loosely based on a “true story”, dubbed by many “the scariest film of all time” and finding itself included in many top ten horror film lists ever since, The Exorcist was directed by William Friedkin, based upon the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty and forced the cinema going public to question their own beliefs on demonic possession and heaven and hell – whilst reducing them to quivering schoolgirls in the process.
Since it’s release we have of course been treated to many a film, far more graphic and grotesque than The Exorcist could ever hope to be, but what if the film was up for the remake treatment? Not by some young hotshot director, but by the very pair responsible for the original film?
In an interview with Cemetery Dance magazine, Exorcist author William Peter Blatty has revealed that he’s working on a remake of sorts – not a feature film, but a far more accurate and detailed miniseries – and William Friedkin has agreed to direct. The news came when the controversial writer was asked if he’d have changed anything about the film, and to say it came a surprise is something of an understatement:
“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.”
Whether or not the project is currently attached to a studio is another matter, but in this age of remakes and “torture porn” horror it can only be a matter of time before the head-spinning Blair and Father Merrin grace our screens once more.
Source: Bloody Disgusting.