Ellen Burstyn Explains Why She Agreed to 'Exorcist' Sequel After Turning Down 'Whole Bunch of Money'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ellen Burstyn.Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty

Ellen Burstynis leveraging her legacy to help the newest generation of thespians.

Speaking toThe Hollywood Reporterfor an interview published Friday, the 89-year-old actress revealed that she finally said yes to asequel to 1973’sThe Exorcistafter having “turned down many versions” over the years.

“This time they offered me a whole bunch of money and I still said no. And then they surprised me and they came back and said, ‘We doubled the offer.’ I said, ‘Okay, let me think about this.’ I thought, ‘That’s a lot of money. Let me think about it.’ The next thought that came to mind was, ‘I feel like the devil is asking my price,’ " Burstyn said.

TheAcademy Awardwinner soon realized it wasn’t about the amount of money, but where it went, that she was most interested in.

“The next thought that came to mind was, ‘My price is a scholarship program for talented students at our master’s degree program at Pace University. That’s my price,’ " Burstyn toldTHR. “So I then went back and upped their up and ended up getting what I want. And I’ve got a scholarship program for young actors.”

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Ellen Burstyn (R) and Linda Blair inThe Exorcist (1973).Warner Bros/Hoya Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Exorcistwas a critical and commercial success and earned $441 million at the worldwide box office when it debuted in theaters almost 50 years ago. It starred Burstyn as the mother of possessed 12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), and costarred Jason Miller andMax von Sydow.

Three new movies in theExorcistuniverse will be made with Burstyn starring,Varietypreviously reported.

The first of the films is expected to debut in theaters on Oct. 13, 2023. It will also featureLeslie Odom Jr., whose character tracks down Chris after his child becomes possessed. David Gordon Green, who helmed the recentHalloweensequels, is directing.

RELATED VIDEO:HereditaryStar Milly Shapiro on Why the Film Resonates on the Same Level AsThe ExorcistandThe Shining

The originalExorcistfilm was nominated for 10 Oscars and became the first horror movie to ever be nominated for Best Picture. Burstyn nabbed an Oscar nomination alongside director William Friedkin, Miller for Best Supporting Actor and Blair for Best Supporting Actress. It won for Best Screenplay and Best Sound.

In February 2021, Burstyn toldAARP the Magazineshe had seen the film for its 45th anniversary in Los Angeles — and that it “doesn’t scare” her.

“You know what’s funny? I passed a group of people the other day and a man said, ‘Ellen Burstyn?’ I said, ‘How can you recognize me with this mask on?’ " she added. “He said, ‘I’ve seenThe Exorcistover 40 times. Your eyes are very familiar.’ "

source: people.com