The Exorcist: Linda Blair returns as Regan in David Gordon Green sequel

Back in the summer of 2021, it was announced that Universal and Peacock had forked over an amount somewhere in the range of $400 million to acquire the rights to distribute a new trilogy of The Exorcist sequels that are being developed by Blumhouse Productions, Morgan Creek Entertainment, and director David Gordon Green. Ellen Burstyn was on board to reprise the role of Chris MacNeil, the character she played in the 1973 classic The Exorcist (watch it HERE)… but soon after the announcement, Linda Blair, who played Chris MacNeil’s possessed daughter Regan in the original film, said she hadn’t been contacted about appearing in the new movie. It didn’t look like Blair was going to be in it, but she said, “I wish all those involved the best and I appreciate the loyalty and passion the fans have for The Exorcist and my character.” Well, Green’s first sequel to The Exorcist recently wrapped filming, and apparently he got in contact with Blair sometime along the way. On Above the Line, film journalist Jeff Sneider has revealed that Linda Blair is back as Regan MacNeil in Green’s The Exorcist!

Sneider wrote, “Sources say that Blair was only on set for a few days, so she’s not in the film all that much, but her return to the franchise should make fans’ heads spin with excitement.“

When contacted for a statement, a Blumhouse representative simply said, “Linda Blair served as an advisor on the upcoming Exorcist film.“

Green just directed a trilogy of Halloween sequels, and given how many Halloween cast members and characters he brought back for that trilogy, it’s no surprise to hear he has brought both Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair back for his The Exorcist trilogy. I figured Blair would show up in these movies at some point – even if she had missed out on the first one, there’s still apparently going to be two sequels she could return for. Now we know she’s back in the first one, so maybe she’ll have an expanded role in the follow-ups.

This sequel to The Exorcist stars Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) as a character who tracks down Chris MacNeil after his child becomes possessed. Odom, Burstyn, and Blair are joined in the cast by Lidya Jewett (Nightbooks), Jennifer Nettles (The Righteous Gemstones), Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale), Okwui Okpokwasili (Master), and newcomer Olivia Marcum, playing unspecified roles, and Raphael Sbarge (Carnosaur) as a pastor.

Green crafted the story for The Exorcist 2023 with Peter Sattler (Broken Diamonds), then wrote the screenplay with Danny McBride (who wrote all three of the new Halloweens with him) and their Halloween Kills co-writer Scott Teems.

The film is being produced by Jason Blum, David Robinson, and James Robinson. Green, Danny McBride, Stephanie Allain, and Couper Samuelson serve as executive producers. Ryan Turek is overseeing the project for Blumhouse.

Green’s The Exorcist is set to reach theatres on October 13th. Are you glad to hear Linda Blair is back as Regan? Let us know by leaving a comment below.