Ellen Burstyn Says Exorcist Franchise Has Gone Far Enough
The 93-year-old actress, who played Chris MacNeil in the 1973 original, questioned the series' expansion in a Variety interview.
Ellen Burstyn has questioned whether the Exorcist franchise has been extended too far, saying "enough already" when asked about the upcoming film The Exorcist: Martyrs. The actress made the comments in an interview with Variety's Clayton Davis, according to comingsoon.net.
Burstyn, 93, is known for her role as Chris MacNeil, the mother of Regan in the 1973 original The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin. The performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
The Exorcist: Martyrs is directed by Mike Flanagan and is described as following a determined rookie detective who confronts a horrifying darkness. It is set for a 2027 release.
Franchise history
In 2023, Burstyn reprised the role of Chris MacNeil in David Gordon Green's The Exorcist: Believer, fifty years after the original film. Green said at the time that Burstyn initially rejected his offer with a "hell no" before agreeing after reading the script.
Quick answers
What did Ellen Burstyn say about the Exorcist franchise?
She questioned whether the franchise had been extended too far and said "enough already" when asked about The Exorcist: Martyrs.
When is The Exorcist: Martyrs released?
The film is set for a 2027 release.
Who directed The Exorcist: Martyrs?
Mike Flanagan directs the film.