'It’s so expensive': Producer Jason Blum gets candid as he labels 'The Exorcist' reboot his 'riskiest project'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Exorcist' is one of the most terrifying horror movies ever made and still manages to captivate audiences today. It is considered a classic and is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Released in 1973, the film pushed the boundaries of the horror genre and received critical acclaim, becoming the first of its kind to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Over the years, it has gained a huge following and become an iconic part of pop culture. After almost five decades since its release, 'The Exorcist' remains a traumatizing experience for viewers due to its horrifying storyline and disturbing scenes and it seems, that's the reason why Jason Blum thinks that rebooting the 1973 epic made him feel nervous. In a recent interview, producer Jason Blum spoke about the project and clarified the statement that the "riskiest movie" he's ever made is one that hasn't come out yet.
READ MORE
'The Pope's Exorcist': Release date and how to watch the supernatural horror film
'Just because it's so expensive'
During an interview, Jason Blum mentioned that 'The Exorcist' reboot is the riskiest project he has ever produced, mainly due to its high production cost. He stated that the movie is not out yet and it's by far the most expensive project he has undertaken. Blum said, "The riskiest movie I have ever made for sure is not out yet, It's 'The Exorcist.' Just because it's so expensive," as per Indiewire. He further added, "Usually, the bar to success in everything we do, because it's inexpensive, is incredibly low. For 'The Exorcist,' it's high."
'It's high risk for our partners'
As previously reported, 'The Exorcist' reboot is not just a standalone movie, but part of a bigger deal made between Blumhouse, Morgan Creek Entertainment, Universal Entertainment, and Peacock. The deal includes the distribution of the new movie and two sequels, with a total cost of potentially over $400 million. This significant price tag is the main reason why Jason Blum considers the film to be such a big risk.
During the interview, Blum further adds, "We've obviously already been paid, but it's high risk for our partners. So when you ask me what the riskiest thing we've ever worked on is, I take that as for us or our financial partners. In the case of "The Exorcist,' that would be the biggest one because it's a high risk for Universal."
The upcoming movie in 'The Exorcist' franchise will feature Ellen Burstyn reprising her role as Chris MacNeil and Linda Blair returning as Regan MacNeil, the possessed little girl from the 1973 original classic. Unlike the Halloween reboot directed by David Gordon Green, the new 'Exorcist' movie will not entirely disregard the continuity of the previous sequels, although it may not necessarily acknowledge them either. As of 2019, the movie earned $449 million worldwide because of rentals and all the earnings that came during its theatrical release. If adjusted for inflation, the movie earned over $1.4 billion by 2014. 'The Exorcist', produced by Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment and distributed by Universal, is set to hit theaters on October 13th, 2023.
