News
Director William Friedkin Calls Exorcist Curse a “Load of Crap”
In the annals of film history, there have been multiple films whose productions were commonly believed to be cursed. For example, the tendency of Poltergeist franchise cast members to drop dead right after or before the films were released, or the many accidents and unexplained events that befell the cast and crew of The Omen series.
Another legendarily “cursed” production was William Friedkin’s The Exorcist, although it obviously didn’t prevent the finished product from going on to become one of the greatest horror movies to ever grace theater screens. However, one man who apparently is sick to death about hearing about The Exorcist being cursed is director Friedkin himself, and he’s not shy about saying so.
The reason we know this is that JoBlo recently published a listicle chronicling supposedly cursed productions, and of course included a section about The Exorcist. For reference, here is what they wrote in their piece:
“Before audiences began vomiting and blacking out during screenings of William Friedkin’s film, the production itself was beset by numerous bizarre occurrences. From the death of a nightwatchman and a special effects worker to film crew suffering from dysentery and sunstroke, everything that could have gone wrong did on the set of the film. Ellen Burstyn injured her back and was bedridden, actor Jack McGowran died suddenly a week after wrapping the film, and the set burned down at one point and the film [was set] back six weeks. Eventually, Friedkin had an actual exorcism performed on the production, and once that happened, no further disturbances were recorded. Now that is a curse.”
How the article came to Friedkin’s attention is unclear, but he wasted no time offering a rather blunt reply via his Twitter account:
This is quite simply a load of
Crap https://t.co/acZbVcdyNQ— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) November 11, 2016
Well, if anyone would be in a position to know what really happened on that set, it would be Friedkin. It’s not clear exactly what parts of the above count he takes issue with the veracity of – unless he’s simply saying that none of it is true – but the Oscar-winning filmmaker obviously has no time for what he perceives to be utter nonsense. Not that his dismissal will do much to convince all the folks who believe the Exorcist curse to be a real phenomenon.
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Movies
Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed
The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.
Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.
The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.
Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”
Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.
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News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.
“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.
Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.
The prize also includes:
An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two
“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”
Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.
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Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.
Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.
Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.
There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
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