Ellen Burstyn's Shocking Confession: The Exorcist Sequel Almost Lost a True Believer
Ellen Burstyn's hesitation to rejoin The Exorcist: Believer adds intrigue to her decision Is her skepticism justified? Explore her reasons and the potential impact on the sequel
Summary
Ellen Burstyn was initially reluctant to join The Exorcist: Believer, but director David Gordon Green was able to win her over and get her on board for the movie.
The main concern for Burstyn was ensuring that the movie paid proper homage to the original 1973 film, The Exorcist, unlike certain previous installments in the franchise.
Critics may have pointed out some negatives regarding The Exorcist: Believer, but a notable positive aspect was its sincere recognition of the franchise's heritage and its intention to honor the original film.
The Exorcist: Believer director David Gordon Green has shared that Ellen Burstyn initially hesitated to join the project. This new film is a direct sequel to the original 1973 movie, The Exorcist. Believer achieved what no other films in the franchise could - convincing Burstyn to reprise her role as Chris MacNeil for the first time since 1973. Burstyn's portrayal of MacNeil earned her an Oscar nomination. However, she has been reluctant to return to the franchise.
In an interview with A.Frame, Green confirmed that it was a challenging task to get Burstyn on board for The Exorcist: Believer. When he first approached her, she rejected the idea of being a part of the cast. But over time, Green was able to win her over. See his statement below for more details.
I didn't necessarily need her assistance, but having someone who shares my desire to honor the original film was a huge relief. Instead of seeking permission, I wanted someone who could offer guidance as I ventured into this revered territory. And if there was anyone I wanted alongside me, it was Ellen Burstyn. Initially, she was skeptical and flat out refused. It seemed that many people had approached her about sequels in the past. So, I proposed that even if she wouldn't appear in my movie, she could still become my friend.
We ended up discussing my intentions and the story I wanted to convey. I explained how I wanted to approach the project and how I could make it personally meaningful. I always start my projects with a self-indulgent mindset, wanting them to be a movie that resonates with me. While I'm aware of the significant fan base, I can't fully commit unless I know that the movie needs me as much as I need it. Ellen and I had deep conversations about literature, philosophy, and even social matters. When I eventually shared the script with her, I believe she was pleasantly surprised to see that I had incorporated elements from our discussions. I had personalized it for her and made a conscious effort to pay tribute to the Chris MacNeil character, even after 50 years. Our collaboration was incredible, and I am incredibly proud to have worked with her.
Was Ellen Burstyn Right To Join The Exorcist: Believer?
After the premiere of The Exorcist: Believer and the subsequent reviews, there is a question regarding Burstyn's decision to return to the franchise for this movie. Unfortunately, The Exorcist: Believer has failed to distinguish itself in terms of reception from other films in the franchise. Currently, it holds a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score of only 23%, making it the third lowest-rated installment in the series. While its performance at the box office hasn't been terrible, it fell slightly short of predictions during its opening weekend.
However, Green's statement suggests that Burstyn's decision to return was not based on the prospects of success. Instead, her main priority was for The Exorcist: Believer to honor the original movie. Previous films in the franchise have faced criticism for not respecting the source material. One example is Exorcist II: The Heretic, which was directed by someone who despised the original movie and the novel it was based on, resulting in a misguided attempt to take the franchise in a new direction. Given this context, it is not surprising that Burstyn appreciated Green's respect for her opinion.
Despite receiving negative criticism, The Exorcist: Believer was praised for its commitment to honoring the legacy of the franchise and returning to its origins. While some critics believed that Burstyn's talents were underutilized, others appreciated how her presence emphasized the movie's intention of paying homage to the original. Although The Exorcist: Believer may not be flawless, its quality may have been secondary to the significance it held for the original star in terms of her opinions and contributions to the franchise.
