Fox is reportedly moving forward with plans to produce a television series based on William Blatty’s groundbreaking 1971 novel The Exorcist. The series is being developed as a modern adaptation of the novel, which inspired the Oscar-nominated 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin. The novel itself was based on reports of demonic possession and exorcisms that Blatty heard about while studying at Georgetown University.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the television series based on The Exorcist already has a writer attached, with Fantastic Four and The Lazarus Effect screenwriter Jeremy Slater penning the one-hour drama and serving as one of the project’s executive producers. The series will reportedly follow two men — possibly priests — tasked with investigating a potential case of demonic possession.
First published in 1971, Blatty’s novel was followed by a 1983 sequel, Legion, that continued the horrifying tale of innocent people whose bodies become inhabited by terrifying occult entities. Blatty also penned the script for the 1973 film based on the novel.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest horror movies in Hollywood history, The Exorcist was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including the coveted “Best Picture” award. It was the first horror movie to be honored with a “Best Picture” nomination, and ended up winning two Oscars: one for Blatty’s screenplay and one for sound mixing.
In 2010, The Exorcist was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its notable role in American cinematic history. To date, the film has grossed more than $441 million worldwide through various re-releases, and remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time when its earnings are adjusted for inflation.
There’s no word on when The Exorcist television series will go into production.
