A movie that created a sensation back in 1973 -- with some movie goers leaving the theaters early in disgust -- is being remade into a TV miniseries, New York magazine reports.

The movie is the Oscar-winning hit film “The Exorcist,” based on William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name. Among the problems some people had with it was a substantial amount of something that looked a lot like pea soup.

Director and writer Sean Durkin, best known for "Martha Marcy May Marlene," is behind the remake, which will be a 10-part miniseries.

The novel was a bestseller in 1971, then became a hit 1973 film directed by William Friedkin. Roy Lee will produce the miniseries, which will go into more detail about the young girl's possession by the devil, her family's reaction, and then the work of Father Karras to save her by performing an exorcism.

The film starred Ellen Burstyn as the mother, and made a star of Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, the little girl who's possessed by the devil. The film received 10 Academy Award nominations -- including acting nods for Burstyn, Blair and Jason Miller along with best director for Friedkin and best picture -- but won only two Oscars, for the screenplay by Blatty and for best sound.

The TV project is expected to be shopped to networks within the next few weeks.

Should Durkin eventually do a press junket for the production, we wonder how many times he will be asked the obvious question, “Whatever possessed you to remake ‘The Exorcist’?”

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4aeN2j82ac/Ty5P7u2SzxI/AAAAAAAABeA/J70AXljXbvU/s1600/exorcist.jpg

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/

http://rlv.zcache.com/just_say_no_sticker-p217301451621411733b2o35_400.jpg

to reboots, remakes, prequels, and 'reimaginings'.

Exactly!

You can't remake perfection.

You can't remake perfection.


I remember ABC tried to remake the Shining into a mini series, what a colossal failure that was.

And the point is...?

And the point is...?


:dollar:

:dollar:
Well, besides that. :crazy:

Well, besides that. :crazy:


Hmmm, my guess is Hollywood doesn't have an imaginitive bone in their body anymore. ;)

Hmmm, my guess is Hollywood doesn't have an imaginitive bone in their body anymore. ;)
But we've all known that for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

I remember ABC tried to remake the Shining into a mini series, what a colossal failure that was.

Stephen King himself was behind that mini-series because he hated Kubrick's film.


As for this Exorcist mini-series, I don't know it could be something good, but you can't really top the original film. The three movie sequels weren't that well received either.

There're also currently working on a Psycho tv-series. I'll definitely give it a shot but they can't top Hitchcock's film.

Can't be any worse than Exorcist II or the prequels that were made. The original is still there and will always be a classic, it could be remade multiple times and its classic status won't change.

I remember ABC tried to remake the Shining into a mini series, what a colossal failure that was.
I remember that - what a dog that turned out to be.

knowing Hollywood, they'll probably make it a comedy.

I remember that - what a dog that turned out to be.

I didn't think The Shining miniseries was that bad, definitely nowhere as bad as the It or Tommyknockers miniseries, or Bag of Bones.

The Exorcist has some St.louis ties.
Linda Blair was born in St.louis in 1959,same as me.
The case that movie was based on took place in St.louis in 1949.
http://www.prairieghosts.com/exorcist.html
I remembered the stories about that hospital.

Is it true that Bill Friedkin used the sounds of bees buzzing in the special effects to make the movie even scarier? I've never watched any of the Exorcist movies (I'm too much of a chicken) but I thought that was an interesting tidbit.

Is it true that Bill Friedkin used the sounds of bees buzzing in the special effects to make the movie even scarier? I've never watched any of the Exorcist movies (I'm too much of a chicken) but I thought that was an interesting tidbit.

Yes that's true.

You should give it a shot, The Exorcist is a great film. It's also good to try to push oneself.

Is it true that Bill Friedkin used the sounds of bees buzzing in the special effects to make the movie even scarier? I've never watched any of the Exorcist movies (I'm too much of a chicken) but I thought that was an interesting tidbit.
I first saw it on commercial tv in the 70's and it was the scariest movie I ever saw. lol

I actually thought Exorcist III was a lot scarier than the first (dodging tomatoes) but this is a movie that has its place in history. Also, I can't stand today's modern horror movie effects (music stings, shakycam, static sound effects, constant jump cuts, sudden fading to white) so I'm sure all of that would be used and it's really not necessary, given the content.

Yes that's true.

You should give it a shot, The Exorcist is a great film. It's also good to try to push oneself.
Thanks for confirming that. I have way too many phobias already (bees and their buzzing among them) so I think I'll take a pass on it. I can't bring myself to watch any Hannibal Lector movies, either. :eek:

Thanks for confirming that. I have way too many phobias already (bees and their buzzing among them) so I think I'll take a pass on it. I can't bring myself to watch any Hannibal Lector movies, either. :eek:

I know of many people who are not horror fans; either they don't like being scared, don't like gore and violence, and most of them love The Silence of the Lambs.

I personally think it's one of the best films ever made.

Did anyone here see Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist?

It's the only Exorcist film that I haven't seen.

I know of many people who are not horror fans; either they don't like being scared, don't like gore and violence, and most of them love The Silence of the Lambs.

I personally think it's one of the best films ever made.
Well...maybe someday. I'll let you know.

I've read that Friedkin kept everyone on set very on edge. He made sure the temperature was VERY cold during the exorcism scenes so that the 'breath' you see was real; not sure how he reduced the temp.

I also read that he would occasionally fire off a gun during filming just to keep the actors on edge. I imagine it worked!

I agree with JamesG, though, this is a very atmospheric and scary film. I suppose if you are not religious at all it wouldn't pack as much of a wallop, but even if one is 'on the fence' it seems like it would be very disturbing. I really like it a lot.

Well...maybe someday. I'll let you know.

Is there anything in particular holding you back from the Hannibal films, or are you just like that with horror in general?

I know that some people just can't handle horror films. What I may find to be "nothing" makes some others vomit. For me, I was raised on horror flicks so I was exposed to all this at a very young age.

I agree with JamesG, though, this is a very atmospheric and scary film. I suppose if you are not religious at all it wouldn't pack as much of a wallop, but even if one is 'on the fence' it seems like it would be very disturbing. I really like it a lot.

I'm not religious and I am into exorcist/demonic possession films.

I guess, to me, it's like with ghost flicks. You don't have to believe in ghosts to be creeped out from watching a ghost thriller, especially from the films that claim to be "based on true events".

If the film is done well then it will appeal to everybody, regardless of personal beliefs, and that's what it is with The Exorcist.

I'm not religious and I am into exorcist/demonic possession films.

I guess, to me, it's like with ghost flicks. You don't have to believe in ghosts to be creeped out from watching a ghost thriller, especially from the films that claim to be "based on true events".

If the film is done well then it will appeal to everybody, regardless of personal beliefs, and that's what it is with The Exorcist.

I'm not religious either and I find The Exorcist scary. I agree, you don't have to believe in things to find them scary.

I actually thought Exorcist III was a lot scarier than the first (dodging tomatoes) but this is a movie that has its place in history.

That's not an unpopular opinion amongst the horror community, there's quite a few people that feel the same way as you about part III.

Is it true that Bill Friedkin used the sounds of bees buzzing in the special effects to make the movie even scarier? I've never watched any of the Exorcist movies (I'm too much of a chicken) but I thought that was an interesting tidbit.

If you want a good laugh watch Exorcist II...a great unintentional comedy.

Did anyone here see Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist?

It's the only Exorcist film that I haven't seen.

I've seen both prequels, I didn't care for either, though I liked The Beginning better than Dominion.

Seytan aka The Turkish Exorcist (1974) I think is the best of the Exorcist rip-offs.



Hahahaha
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1680119/combined
I didn't link to the trailer since it had cursing in it. My daughter came across it while helping me compile June's upcoming release dates for my thread.

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http://i46.tinypic.com/fnxpch.jpg