Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
Ellen Burstyn says The Exorcist franchise has had enough
Ellen Burstyn says the Exorcist franchise has had enough after being asked about the upcoming film The Exorcist: Martyrs.
Burstyn played Chris MacNeil in the 1973 original and returned for 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer.
Mike Flanagan is directing the new film, which is part of the long-running horror franchise.
Scarlett Johansson is set to play a homicide detective, and Chiwetel Ejiofor will play a prison chaplain.
Burstyn will not appear in the new film and has said she believes the franchise should remain dormant.
The film is scheduled for release on March 12, 2027, with its story involving the detective haunted by an execution she witnessed.
Ellen Burstyn says there is already enough of The Exorcist franchise.
She shared her view when asked about The Exorcist: Martyrs, a new film directed by Mike Flanagan.
The film is scheduled for release on March 12, 2027, and stars Scarlett Johansson.
Burstyn played Chris MacNeil in the 1973 original and reprised the role in 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer.
Flanagan has said he wants to try something fresh within the franchise’s universe.
- Who
- Ellen Burstyn, who played Chris MacNeil in the original film and The Exorcist: Believer.
- What
- She said there is already enough of The Exorcist franchise.
- When
- She shared her view in an interview with Variety discussed in October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
Ellen Burstyn
Mike Flanagan and the filmmakers reviving the franchise
Franchise’s future
Ellen Burstyn
Burstyn said, Isn’t there enough already of the Exorcist thing? It’s enough already.
Mike Flanagan and the filmmakers reviving the franchise
Flanagan said he had the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within the franchise’s universe.
The original The Exorcist was released, with Burstyn playing Chris MacNeil.
Burstyn reprised her role in The Exorcist: Believer.
Burstyn shared her view on the franchise when asked about The Exorcist: Martyrs.
The Exorcist: Martyrs is scheduled to be released.
- Original film
- The Exorcist, released in 1973
- Burstyn’s character
- Chris MacNeil
- Most recent Exorcist film featuring Burstyn
- The Exorcist: Believer, released in 2023
- New film
- The Exorcist: Martyrs
- Director
- Mike Flanagan
- Scheduled release
- March 12, 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
Isn’t there enough already of the Exorcist thing? It’s enough already.
The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honour to have the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within its universe.
I’m stepping into a legacy of a franchise that you’re a monumental part of, and I want you to know who I am and I want you to know I’m here to respect this property and the IP and the character that you created.