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The Exorcist

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The Identity Of The Boy Who Inspired ‘The Exorcist’ Finally Revealed

Did you know that one of the most iconic, and terrifying, horror films of all time, The Exorcist, is based on a true story, the possession of Roland Doe? Roland Doe is an alias. The boy’s real name has been kept secret for decades to protect him, until now. The magazine Skeptical Inquirer has now named the boy from the real 1949 possession case as Roland Edwin Hunkeler, who passed away last year just before his 86th birthday after suffering from a stroke at this home in Marriottsville, Maryland. Roland was a Nasa engine and contributed to the Apollo space mission and patented the tech that helps space shuttles panels withstand the heat of entering and exiting the earth’s atmosphere. A female friend of Roland’s told the New York Post that Hunkeler was terrified of people, especially his colleagues, discovering his secret. Directed by William Friedkin, The Exorcist took inspiration from Hunkler’s possession that occurred in the 1940s when he

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 21, 2021
Horror Fuel

Everything You Need To Know About David Gordon Green’s New ‘The Exorcist’ Trilogy

Alright horror fans, we’ve got a huge update about the upcoming The Exorcist movie! First off, Universal and Peacock, who has teamed up with Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, have just announced that the new film will kick off a three-film franchise with the first film being directed by David Gordon Green, who also worked with Universal and Blumhouse on the new Halloween trilogy. Academy-Award® Nominee Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton, One Night In Miami) is set to star alongside Ellen Burstyn, who played the iconic role of Regan’s mother, Chris MacNeil, in the original 1973 film, which scored her an Academy Award nomination. As for the rumor that the first film will be a reboot, we can confirm that the movie is being described as a “continuation of the quintessential possession horror film.” This confirms that it will not be a reboot or remake, but a sequel to the original film. There’s no better time to be joining forces with the

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 26, 2021
Horror Fuel

David Gordon Green’s ‘The Excorcist’ Will Not Be A Reboot

David Gordon Green‘s (Halloween, Halloween Kills) upcoming installment of The Exorcist franchise was first rumored to be a reboot. Thankfully we can tell you it is not a reboot but is actually a sequel to the 1973 William Friedkin classic, which we reported earlier this month. Now, Green has confirmed it to Total Film. The new movie will be handled the same way Green has handled the Halloween movies. The Exorcist has been written. That was one of my pandemic projects. It’s not inaccurate [that it will be a sequel to the original film]. I like all the Exorcist movies,” Gordon Green explained to Total Film during a chat. “And not only do I like them, I think they can all fall into the acceptable mythology for what I’m doing. It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Pretend that The Exorcist 2 never happened.’ That’s fine to exist. They’re all fine to exist, and I enjoy all of them.” Green adds, “It’s

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 24, 2021
Horror Fuel

Halloween’s David Gordon Green In Talks To Direct Blumhouse’s Reboot Of ‘The Exorcist’

When it comes to horror, one movie stands out as not only one of the most important but also the most frightening, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. While it has had sequels and series adaptations nothing has quite matched in nearly 50 years. But Blumhouse has set out to change that with a reboot (*insert head shake). David Gordon Green (Halloween, Halloween Kills) is reportedly in talks to direct the movie produced by Blumhouse and Morgan Creek. Jason Blum made a comment during an interview with Den of Geek, describing that the movie will be like the situation between the original Halloween and Green’s 2018 version. [It’s] going to be like David’s Halloween sequel,” Blum told the site. “I think it’s going to pleasantly surprise all the skeptics out there. We had a lot of skeptics about Halloween and David turned them around, and I think he’s going to turn it around with The Exorcist.” From what Blum said it sounds

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 1, 2021
Horror Fuel

Own The Incredible Documentary “Leap Of Faith: William Friedkin On The Exorcist”

RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, is set to release the incredibly in-depth documentary Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist from Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller, and the supernatural. Written and directed by Alexandre O. Philippe (78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene, The People vs. George Lucas), the documentary features the iconic film’s director William Friedkin (To Live and Die in L.A., The Exorcist). Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist is the ultimate and complete dissection and sweeping examination of the award-winning genre classic The Exorcist. Explore the uncharted depths of William Friedkin’s mind’s eye, the nuances of his filmmaking process, and the mysteries of faith and fate that helped shape his life and filmography, as told by the man himself. Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist, a must-see for every horror fan, is out on VOD, Digital HD, and Blu-ray on April 13, 2021. iTunes Extras include the following

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 12, 2021
Horror Fuel

Documentary ‘Leap Of Faith: William Friedkin On The Exorcist’ Coming To Digital And Blu-ray

When it comes to iconic horror films you don’t get much more important than The Exorcist. There are several documentaries out there about the 1973 classic, but one stands above all others, Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist (review) and it should be required watching for all genre fans! Luckily, the Shudder documentary is coming to VOD, Digital, and Blu-ray this April. Written and directed by Alexandre O. Philippe (78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene, The People vs. George Lucas), the documentary features William Friedkin (To Live and Die in L.A., The Exorcist) himself discussing the iconic film’s making and the mysteries of faith and fate that helped shape his life and filmography, and so much more. Pick up your copy of Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist on VOD, Digital HD, or Blu-ray on April 13, 2021, from RLJE Films.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 14, 2021
Horror Fuel

Programming Highlights: Discovery+ February 1st- 14th

There’s a whole lot to love about the discovery+ programming this February which includes new series premieres such as “Nostradamus: End of Days, the new Docu-Special “Shock Docs – The Exorcism of Ronald Doe” which delves into the terrifyingly true real-life story that inspired The Exorcist, and so much more! We’ve got the programming highlights for February 1st through the 14th to make sure you don’t miss a thing. discovery+ EXCLUSIVE PREMIERES NOSTRADAMUS: END OF DAYS NEW SERIES – Begins Streaming Monday, February 1 on discovery+ This all-new eight-episode series reveals exactly how the world will end, and who will be behind it, as predicted by history’s greatest prophet, Nostradamus. Combining the infamous seer’s ancient words with paintings from a mysterious lost book bearing his name, the series decodes new prophecies and causes of the world’s demise. Nostradamus saw the impending apocalypse 500 years ago, and now it’s up to experts to reveal the terrifying truth his visions can prepare

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 22, 2021
Horror Fuel

David Gordon Green’s ‘The Exorcist’ Will NOT Be A Reboot

David Gordon Green, the brilliant director behind the new Halloween trilogy, is co-writing and directing the upcoming movie The Exorcist for Morgan Creek and Blumhouse. While some sites are reporting that it is a reboot, according to our sources, the new movie is in fact a SEQUEL! While the title and plot are still being kept quiet, we do know that the movie will be set years after the events of the 1973 original, in the same way as Green’s Halloween (2018) was for that franchise. Mike Sprague is set to pen the script. We also know that William Friedkin will sadly not be involved in the sequel. Horror heavy-hitter Jason Blum will be producing alongside David Robinson and James Robinson. Blumhouse, who was behind Halloween, continues to dominate the horror genre. Green’s Halloween was a huge hit, grossing a massive $255 million worldwide and claiming the title of the second-highest opening at the box offices in the horror genre

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 23, 2020
Horror Fuel

‘House of Ashes’ And Sumerian Mythology

Fans of the Dark Pictures Anthology games were treated to a post-credits trailer at the end of Little Hope for the upcoming third installment titled House of Ashes featuring Ashley Tisdal (High School Musical). The game will take players to the Middle East wherein the trailer Tisdal’s character is seen lost in a cave with only a torch lighting her way and hearing something scurrying behind her as she passes a large statue of Pazuzu that many will recognized from the “Exorcist” films. The games Man of Medan, and Little Hope draw from real-world events and tales. Man of Medan took inspiration from a tale from WWII about a ghost ship called the SS Ourang Medan that was lost near Indonesia, all crew on board died mysteriously, to date the tale of the Ourang Medan can’t be confirmed as no ship by that name ever existed and no wreck of it was ever found. Little Hope takes place in Andover,

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Nov 7, 2020
Horror Fuel

Paul Bateson: The Serial Killer Who Starred In ‘The Exorcist’

Did you know that a real-life serial killer starred in The Exorcist? In 1972, director William Friedkin saw Paul Bateson perform a cerebral angiography in the New York University radiology lab. Wanting to keep things as real as possible, when Friedkin was making The Exorcist the next year, he arranged for the same procedure to be filmed in a hospital by real doctors and technicians. Friedkin was impressed by the way Bateson performed the real procedure the year before and invited him to be included in the scene as a radiographer not knowing of his crimes. Born in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, he was the son of a metallurgist. In the early 60s, he joined the Army and became an alcoholic while serving in Germany. When his service came to an end, he returned to Lansdale before moving to New York in 1964 where he began living a double life, working as a radiologist during the day, and exploring his sexuality and

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 6, 2020

More from The Exorcist

The Identity Of The Boy Who Inspired ‘The Exorcist’ Finally Revealed

Did you know that one of the most iconic, and terrifying, horror films of all time, The Exorcist, is based on a true story, the possession of Roland Doe? Roland Doe is an alias. The boy’s real name has been kept secret for decades to protect him, until now. The magazine Skeptical Inquirer has now named the boy from the real 1949 possession case as Roland Edwin Hunkeler, who passed away last year just before his 86th birthday after suffering from a stroke at this home in Marriottsville, Maryland. Roland was a Nasa engine and contributed to the Apollo space mission and patented the tech that helps space shuttles panels withstand the heat of entering and exiting the earth’s atmosphere. A female friend of Roland’s told the New York Post that Hunkeler was terrified of people, especially his colleagues, discovering his secret. Directed by William Friedkin, The Exorcist took inspiration from Hunkler’s possession that occurred in the 1940s when he

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 21, 2021
Horror Fuel

Everything You Need To Know About David Gordon Green’s New ‘The Exorcist’ Trilogy

Alright horror fans, we’ve got a huge update about the upcoming The Exorcist movie! First off, Universal and Peacock, who has teamed up with Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, have just announced that the new film will kick off a three-film franchise with the first film being directed by David Gordon Green, who also worked with Universal and Blumhouse on the new Halloween trilogy. Academy-Award® Nominee Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton, One Night In Miami) is set to star alongside Ellen Burstyn, who played the iconic role of Regan’s mother, Chris MacNeil, in the original 1973 film, which scored her an Academy Award nomination. As for the rumor that the first film will be a reboot, we can confirm that the movie is being described as a “continuation of the quintessential possession horror film.” This confirms that it will not be a reboot or remake, but a sequel to the original film. There’s no better time to be joining forces with the

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 26, 2021
Horror Fuel

David Gordon Green’s ‘The Excorcist’ Will Not Be A Reboot

David Gordon Green‘s (Halloween, Halloween Kills) upcoming installment of The Exorcist franchise was first rumored to be a reboot. Thankfully we can tell you it is not a reboot but is actually a sequel to the 1973 William Friedkin classic, which we reported earlier this month. Now, Green has confirmed it to Total Film. The new movie will be handled the same way Green has handled the Halloween movies. The Exorcist has been written. That was one of my pandemic projects. It’s not inaccurate [that it will be a sequel to the original film]. I like all the Exorcist movies,” Gordon Green explained to Total Film during a chat. “And not only do I like them, I think they can all fall into the acceptable mythology for what I’m doing. It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Pretend that The Exorcist 2 never happened.’ That’s fine to exist. They’re all fine to exist, and I enjoy all of them.” Green adds, “It’s

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 24, 2021
Horror Fuel

Halloween’s David Gordon Green In Talks To Direct Blumhouse’s Reboot Of ‘The Exorcist’

When it comes to horror, one movie stands out as not only one of the most important but also the most frightening, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. While it has had sequels and series adaptations nothing has quite matched in nearly 50 years. But Blumhouse has set out to change that with a reboot (*insert head shake). David Gordon Green (Halloween, Halloween Kills) is reportedly in talks to direct the movie produced by Blumhouse and Morgan Creek. Jason Blum made a comment during an interview with Den of Geek, describing that the movie will be like the situation between the original Halloween and Green’s 2018 version. [It’s] going to be like David’s Halloween sequel,” Blum told the site. “I think it’s going to pleasantly surprise all the skeptics out there. We had a lot of skeptics about Halloween and David turned them around, and I think he’s going to turn it around with The Exorcist.” From what Blum said it sounds

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 1, 2021
Horror Fuel

Own The Incredible Documentary “Leap Of Faith: William Friedkin On The Exorcist”

RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, is set to release the incredibly in-depth documentary Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist from Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller, and the supernatural. Written and directed by Alexandre O. Philippe (78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene, The People vs. George Lucas), the documentary features the iconic film’s director William Friedkin (To Live and Die in L.A., The Exorcist). Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist is the ultimate and complete dissection and sweeping examination of the award-winning genre classic The Exorcist. Explore the uncharted depths of William Friedkin’s mind’s eye, the nuances of his filmmaking process, and the mysteries of faith and fate that helped shape his life and filmography, as told by the man himself. Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist, a must-see for every horror fan, is out on VOD, Digital HD, and Blu-ray on April 13, 2021. iTunes Extras include the following

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 12, 2021
Horror Fuel

Documentary ‘Leap Of Faith: William Friedkin On The Exorcist’ Coming To Digital And Blu-ray

When it comes to iconic horror films you don’t get much more important than The Exorcist. There are several documentaries out there about the 1973 classic, but one stands above all others, Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist (review) and it should be required watching for all genre fans! Luckily, the Shudder documentary is coming to VOD, Digital, and Blu-ray this April. Written and directed by Alexandre O. Philippe (78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene, The People vs. George Lucas), the documentary features William Friedkin (To Live and Die in L.A., The Exorcist) himself discussing the iconic film’s making and the mysteries of faith and fate that helped shape his life and filmography, and so much more. Pick up your copy of Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist on VOD, Digital HD, or Blu-ray on April 13, 2021, from RLJE Films.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 14, 2021
Horror Fuel

Programming Highlights: Discovery+ February 1st- 14th

There’s a whole lot to love about the discovery+ programming this February which includes new series premieres such as “Nostradamus: End of Days, the new Docu-Special “Shock Docs – The Exorcism of Ronald Doe” which delves into the terrifyingly true real-life story that inspired The Exorcist, and so much more! We’ve got the programming highlights for February 1st through the 14th to make sure you don’t miss a thing. discovery+ EXCLUSIVE PREMIERES NOSTRADAMUS: END OF DAYS NEW SERIES – Begins Streaming Monday, February 1 on discovery+ This all-new eight-episode series reveals exactly how the world will end, and who will be behind it, as predicted by history’s greatest prophet, Nostradamus. Combining the infamous seer’s ancient words with paintings from a mysterious lost book bearing his name, the series decodes new prophecies and causes of the world’s demise. Nostradamus saw the impending apocalypse 500 years ago, and now it’s up to experts to reveal the terrifying truth his visions can prepare

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 22, 2021
Horror Fuel

David Gordon Green’s ‘The Exorcist’ Will NOT Be A Reboot

David Gordon Green, the brilliant director behind the new Halloween trilogy, is co-writing and directing the upcoming movie The Exorcist for Morgan Creek and Blumhouse. While some sites are reporting that it is a reboot, according to our sources, the new movie is in fact a SEQUEL! While the title and plot are still being kept quiet, we do know that the movie will be set years after the events of the 1973 original, in the same way as Green’s Halloween (2018) was for that franchise. Mike Sprague is set to pen the script. We also know that William Friedkin will sadly not be involved in the sequel. Horror heavy-hitter Jason Blum will be producing alongside David Robinson and James Robinson. Blumhouse, who was behind Halloween, continues to dominate the horror genre. Green’s Halloween was a huge hit, grossing a massive $255 million worldwide and claiming the title of the second-highest opening at the box offices in the horror genre

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 23, 2020
Horror Fuel

‘House of Ashes’ And Sumerian Mythology

Fans of the Dark Pictures Anthology games were treated to a post-credits trailer at the end of Little Hope for the upcoming third installment titled House of Ashes featuring Ashley Tisdal (High School Musical). The game will take players to the Middle East wherein the trailer Tisdal’s character is seen lost in a cave with only a torch lighting her way and hearing something scurrying behind her as she passes a large statue of Pazuzu that many will recognized from the “Exorcist” films. The games Man of Medan, and Little Hope draw from real-world events and tales. Man of Medan took inspiration from a tale from WWII about a ghost ship called the SS Ourang Medan that was lost near Indonesia, all crew on board died mysteriously, to date the tale of the Ourang Medan can’t be confirmed as no ship by that name ever existed and no wreck of it was ever found. Little Hope takes place in Andover,

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Nov 7, 2020
Horror Fuel

Paul Bateson: The Serial Killer Who Starred In ‘The Exorcist’

Did you know that a real-life serial killer starred in The Exorcist? In 1972, director William Friedkin saw Paul Bateson perform a cerebral angiography in the New York University radiology lab. Wanting to keep things as real as possible, when Friedkin was making The Exorcist the next year, he arranged for the same procedure to be filmed in a hospital by real doctors and technicians. Friedkin was impressed by the way Bateson performed the real procedure the year before and invited him to be included in the scene as a radiographer not knowing of his crimes. Born in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, he was the son of a metallurgist. In the early 60s, he joined the Army and became an alcoholic while serving in Germany. When his service came to an end, he returned to Lansdale before moving to New York in 1964 where he began living a double life, working as a radiologist during the day, and exploring his sexuality and

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 6, 2020
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