Universal & Peacock Close $400M Deal For New Exorcist Trilogy; Ellen Burstyn To Reprise Character

Some major news from the world of horror today as Universal team up with Peacock to close a HUGE deal for a brand new Exorcist trilogy.

As reported by The New York Times, Universal & Peacock have joined forces to close a $400 million-plus “mega deal” to buy a new Exorcist trilogy,

Donna Langley, the film studio’s chairwoman, teamed with Peacock, NBCUniversal’s fledgling streaming service, to make the purchase, which is expected to be announced this week, according to three people briefed on the matter. These people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the still-private deal, said the price was in the vicinity of the $465 million that Netflix paid in March for two sequels to the 2019 whodunit “Knives Out.”

Halloween's David Gordon Green will take over writing and directing duties with the assurance to fans that this film will not be a re-make, but a sequel of sorts. Speaking to Total Film recently, Green explained, "The Exorcist has been written. That was one of my pandemic projects. It’s not inaccurate [that it will be a sequel to the original film]. I like all the Exorcist movies. And not only do I like them, I think they can all fall into the acceptable mythology for what I’m doing. It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Pretend that The Exorcist 2 never happened.’ That’s fine to exist. They’re all fine to exist, and I enjoy all of them.”

David Gordon Green giving James Jude Courtney direction on the set of Halloween Kills

(Image from Total Film)

“It’s another fun legacy to be a part of, and hopefully we’ll get that going in the near future. That one is a lot of research, rather than just impulsive screenwriting. That’s one that you talk to a lot of people. You read a lot of books, and do a shit-load of interviews. There was such a dramatic authenticity to what that original film is. It’s a lot more than I anticipated getting into it. And I guess I was naïve to think that. But it was very exhilarating to be involved in a lot of those conversations that you find yourself in.”

Jason Blum's Blumhouse is on board to produce (having a first look picture deal with Universal of course) as well as David Robinson and his company Morgan Creek Entertainment. In another fantastic turn of events, original cast member Ellen Burstyn is set to return to the franchise and reprise her role from Friedkin's 1974 film - Chris MacNeil. Leslie Odom Jr. will be joining her as the father of a possessed child who is desperately trying to track her down for help.Suffice it to say, Satan is not thrilled to see her again.

The first film in the trilogy is expected to arrive in cinemas late 2023, October 13th to be exact (according to Bloody Disgusting). More as we learn it.