The Exorcist: Believer Sequel Update - Ellen Burstyn's Future Revealed!

Summary

Director David Gordon Green hints at the potential return of Ellen Burstyn's character in future Exorcist films, stating she is an idol and a dream to work with.

The director subtly implies that Chris MacNeil, played by Burstyn, may meet her demise in the forthcoming legacy sequel. In The Exorcist: Believer, a grief-stricken father enlists the assistance of Chris MacNeil, who has left a lasting legacy, when his daughter and her friend fall victim to possession.

During an interview with SFX, director David Gordon Green discussed the potential for star Ellen Burstyn to make a comeback in future installments of the intended horror trilogy, The Exorcist. Burstyn, known for her role as distressed mother Chris MacNeil in the original 1973 film, will be returning to the franchise for the first time in the upcoming movie, Believer. In this new installment, Burstyn's character will come to the aid of a distraught father, Victor Fielding, who is facing a double possession. Green, however, remained secretive about whether or not Burstyn's character dies in Believer, stating that despite her fate in the movie, conversations about a potential return for her occur because she is "one of my idols."

What the Exorcist Trilogy Could Look Like Without Chris MacNeil

The fate of the character ultimately determines the course of the situation. These types of conversations also come into play. From a creative standpoint, you consider how to capture her attention. She is someone I greatly admire and collaborating with her is an absolute delight. She acts as a source of inspiration. While there were various versions of the script, I won't disclose which one we ultimately chose, there were instances where significant developments would occur for her character. This then leads to the question of what to do if everything goes exceptionally well.

Similar to the previous Halloween trilogy by David Gordon Green, this new trilogy begins with the return of a key character from the original 1970s horror classic. In that instance, it was Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. However, Curtis reprised her role in all three films of that trilogy, joined by other original Halloween stars such as Nick Castle as Michael Myers, Kyle Richards as Lindsey Wallace, Nancy Stephens as Marion Chambers, and Charles Cyphers as Leigh Brackett.

Burstyn is currently the only confirmed cast member reprising a role from the original movie, The Exorcist: Believer. Although Linda Blair, who played her possessed daughter Regan, was present on set as a consultant, it remains unconfirmed whether she will make an appearance in the movie. However, if Burstyn is unable or unwilling to return for the next movie in the trilogy, it is highly probable that Blair will be brought in. If the sequels to The Exorcist: Believer follow a similar model to Halloween, they will likely strive to maintain a connection to the characters from the original film. This leaves limited options, as the only other surviving cast member with a significant role in The Exorcist is Kitty Winn, who portrayed Chris' secretary Sharon and reprised the role in Exorcist II in 1977. Although Sharon could potentially return, it appears most likely that the final two entries will focus on Regan, as she has already been referenced in the Exorcist: Believer trailer.

Source: SFX