Universal Pictures shells out $400 million for 'Exorcist' trilogy starring Ellen Burstyn, Leslie Odom Jr.

We can't escape The Exorcist.

The New York Times' Brooks Barnes reported Monday (July 26) that Universal Studios partnered with Peacock to purchase a brand new Exorcist trilogy for over $400 million, citing anonymous sources who described the deal as "in the vicinity of the $465 million that Netflix paid in March for two sequels" to Knives Out.

Barnes provided more context:

"Universal is not remaking The Exorcist, which was directed by William Friedkin from a screenplay that William Peter Blatty adapted from his own novel. But the studio will, for the first time, return the Oscar-winning Ms. [Ellen] Burstyn to the franchise. (Two forgettable Exorcist sequels and a prequel were made without her between 1977 and 2004.) Joining her will be Leslie Odom Jr., a Tony winner for Hamilton on Broadway and a double Oscar nominee for One Night in Miami. He will play the father of a possessed child. Desperate for help, he tracks down Ms. Burstyn’s character.

[...]

"The first film in the trilogy is expected to arrive in theaters in late 2023. Under the terms of the deal, the second and third films could debut on Peacock, according to one of the people briefed on the matter."

The Exorcist debuted in 1973 and became an R-rated phenomenon. People couldn't get enough, as evidenced at the box office, when 12-year-old Regan (Linda Blair) was possessed by a demonic force and her actress mother, Chris MacNeil (Burstyn), becomes desperate to help her. 

The supernatural horror thriller earned 10 nominations at the 46th Academy Awards, including best actress for Burstyn and best picture, and won the Oscars for best writing (screenplay based on material from another medium) and best sound.