Summary

  • Ellen Burstyn's return to The Exorcist franchise after 50 years is a historic milestone for Hollywood, marking the second-longest interval for an actor's return to a franchise.
  • Burstyn's reprisal of her original role in The Exorcist: Believer is not only highly anticipated but also an important triumph against ageism in Hollywood, especially for women over 50.
  • Burstyn's return to The Exorcist series in the latest installment signifies the significance of her character and promises an exciting prospect for dedicated fans of the franchise.

Ellen Burstyn is set to reprise her role as Chris MacNeil in The Exorcist: Believer, marking a significant milestone in Hollywood history. Burstyn's initial portrayal of MacNeil, a renowned actress whose daughter falls victim to possession, garnered her an Academy Award nomination. Over the years, the franchise has produced four sequels, with the last installment being released in 2005. Despite numerous offers, Burstyn had refrained from returning to any of these sequels, until now, ing the sixth movie in the franchise, The Exorcist: Believer.

Burstyn boasts a distinguished career, with five Academy Award nominations, and a win for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in 1974's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The film's director, David Gordon Green, who previously persuaded Jamie Lee Curtis to re the Halloween series, succeeded in bringing Burstyn onto the project with an innovative reimagining of her character. The anticipation surrounding Burstyn's reprisal of her original role is significant, but there is a bigger reason that makes her return that much more important.

Ellen Burstyn’s Exorcist Return 50 Years Later Is Historic For Hollywood

The Exorcist: Believer: Ellen Burstyn reprising her role as Chris MacNeil

Burstyn's return to The Exorcist franchise comes 50 years after her first appearance in the 1973 supernatural horror film, signifying a momentous milestone within Hollywood. Burstyn portrayed Chris MacNeil at the age of 40 during her initial performance, and now, at the age of 90, she will be leading the new addition to the franchise. This marks the second-longest interval for an actor's return to a franchise, second only to Dick Van Dyke's reprisal as Mr. Dawes in Marry Poppins Returns, after 54 years. Notably, Burstyn now holds the record for the actress with the longest gap before reing a franchise.

Carrie Fisher, who made her comeback in Star Wars after a 32-year break, trails behind her, resulting in an 18-year disparity between the two. However, there is another reason why her return is so important. The prevalence of ageism in Hollywood, especially directed toward women, is an issue. With Burstyn taking the helm in the latest installment of The Exorcist at the age of 90, it stands as a significant triumph for women in the industry, as Hollywood has often overlooked women above the age of 50 in leading roles.

Exorcist: Believer Makes Up For Ellen Burstyn’s Absence From Last 4 Movies

The Exorcist: Ellen Burstyn in the original Exorcist, with a shocked look on her face. 

Despite being offered substantial sums of money over the years, Burstyn consistently declined opportunities to revisit the franchise. However, in the latest installment, she takes on the role of MacNeil once again, as her character is sought out by parents struggling with the possession of their daughters. MacNeil's own experiences align with theirs, as she might be the only one who can help the girls.

Having rejected her character's return multiple times before, the fact that she's coming back to the series now underlines the pivotal nature of her role in the film. Distinguishing itself from a mere remake, the sequel stands as a testament to the original, while also elevating Burstyn's character. The actress' return in The Exorcist: Believer highlights the significance of her role and presents an exciting prospect for devoted fans of the franchise.