William Friedkin Not Working On "The Exorcist" Reboot

Almost 50 years after its release, The Exorcist remains a horror classic and a milestone in American filmmaking. It spawned a number of sequels and, more recently, a television series. But in an era where remakes and reboots abound, more than a few people have wondered if a new version of The Exorcist might be in the works.

This speculation picked up steam earlier this year, when rumors of a remake got a little more traction. Admittedly, there isn’t much to go on right now — the description on the reboot’s IMDB page begins with the words “Rumored remake.” But if there is a new version of The Exorcist in the works, one person who won’t be involved is original director William Friedkin.

Earlier this week, Friedkin took to Twitter to indicate that he has no involvement in a remake of his best-known film.

There’s a rumor on IMDB that I’m involved with a new version
Of The Exorcist. This isn’t a rumor, it’s a flat-out lie.
There’s not enough money or motivation in the world
To get me to do this.
— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) December 17, 2020

“This isn’t a rumor, it’s a flat-out lie,” Friedkin wrote. “There’s not enough money or motivation in the world to get me to do this.” All of which seems pretty definitive.

If you are looking to revisit Friedkin’s horror classic from a different vantage point, a new documentary recently debuted on Shudder that may be of interest. Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist debuted last month to good reviews.