Universal Pays $400 Million for New EXORCIST Trilogy Starring Ellen Burstyn and Leslie Odom Jr.

Universal and Peacock have acquired the rights to a new trilogy based on the 1973 horror classic "The Exorcist". Ellen Burstyn will reprise her role from the original film and she will be joined by Leslie Odom Jr. ("Hamilton", "One Night in Miami").

The deal for the franchise reached the hefty sum of $400 million, which rivals the $450 million Netflix spent on the "Knives Out" sequels. Universal plans to screen some of the films on Peacock, its new streaming service.

The R-rated 1973 film "The Exorcist" directed by William Friedkin was a huge hit both commercially and critically. It grossed $441 million worldwide and received 10 Oscar nominations, becoming the first horror film to ever be recognized in the Best Picture category. Burstyn also received a Best Actress nomination.

Burstyn will return as Chris MacNeil, the mother who hired two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism on her demonically possessed 12-year-old (Linda Blair). Odom Jr stars as a father whose daughter appears to be possessed and seeks out Burstyn's character to help him.

"Halloween" reboot helmer David Gordon Green will direct the upcoming "Exorcist" franchise, which will be produced by Blumhouse. The first of the three planned movies is expected to open in theaters on October 13, 2023. Subsequent installments have not been dated and will potentially land directly on Peacock.

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Friday, July 30, 2021

Universal Pays $400 Million for New EXORCIST Trilogy Starring Ellen Burstyn and Leslie Odom Jr.

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