‘The Exorcist’ Trilogy Acquired by Universal, Leslie Odom

Universal and Peacock have acquired the rights to a brand new trilogy branching off from “The Exorcist,” the 1973 horror masterpiece from William Friedkin, which can star Leslie Odom Jr. and produce again Ellen Burstyn to reprise her position from the unique movie.

The New York Times, which first reported the information, says that the deal for the franchise was upwards of $400 million. CAA negotiated the deal, marking the second high-profile deal the company has negotiated within the final sixth months after the equally staggering $450 million+ Netflix spent on the “Knives Out” sequels.

David Gordon Green, who helped to revitalize the “Halloween” franchise, will direct the primary movie within the new “Exorcist” franchise, which shall be launched theatrically on Oct. 13, 2023. Gordon Green labored on the story with the rebooted “Halloween” crew, together with Scott Teems, Danny McBride, Peter Sattler (“Broken Diamonds”) and David Gordon Green.

Blumhouse and Morgan Creek are additionally producing the franchise. Jason Blum will produce on behalf of Blumhouse and David Robinson and James Robinson will produce for Morgan Creek. Green, McBride and Couper Samuelson will govt produce. Ryan Turek is overseeing the undertaking for Blumhouse.

The new “Exorcist” movie won’t be a reboot however a continuation of the unique franchise and shall be unfold throughout three movies. Though plot particulars weren’t disclosed, the New York Times stated Odom Jr. would play a father whose daughter seems to be possessed and seeks out Burstyn’s Chris MacNeil to assist him.

“There’s no better time to be joining forces with the team at Peacock, reuniting with the great team at Universal and finally getting to work with my friends at Blumhouse, than on this classic franchise,” David Robinson, Morgan Creek president, stated in an announcement. “David Gordon Green, Danny McBride, Scott Teems and Peter Sattler have put together a compelling continuation of this iconic tale and I can’t wait to bring this to fans around the world.”

“Blumhouse has all the time skilled unimaginable partnership from the crew at Universal, and I’m grateful to Donna Langley and Jimmy Horowitz for believing within the imaginative and prescient of David’s movie and having the foresight to be versatile with distribution, so the crew feels prime notch assist by the lifeline of the movie. They’re dedicated to theatrical exhibition and also will serving streaming viewers nicely by bringing an thrilling franchise just like the ‘Exorcist’ to Peacock too,” Jason Blum, CEO and founder of Blumhouse, said in a statement. “I’m grateful to be working with David Robinson and the good crew at Morgan Creek on this iconic franchise.”

The unique 1973 movie “The Exorcist” has grossed over $441 million so far, making it the best home grossing horror movie. The image was additionally nominated for 10 Oscars, together with one for Ellen Burstyn, who was nominated for Best Actress. The movie additionally nabbed the distinction of being the primary horror movie ever nominated for Best Picture. 

The rebooted “Halloween” had an identical success trajectory, grossing $250 million worldwide on the field workplace and bringing again Jamie Lee Curtis in her iconic position. The second movie within the franchise is ready to launch later this 12 months.

Leslie Odom, Jr. is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Jackoway Austen, Tyerman, Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein. Ellen Burstyn is represented by UTA and MGMT Entertainment. David Gordon Green is represented by CAA, Cinetic Media and Pryor Cashman LLP.