Scott W. Davis
08-27-2003, 12:35 AM
Linda Blair isn't the only one getting sick over the problems that seem to be cursing EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING.
I should preface this story by saying that the source is the (Don't bother looking up the actual story, unless you want to pay for it). Not all of our readers are familiar with the Post, but let me assure, it doesn't have the same reputation as the Times. is the equivalent of the Mirror or the Enquirer, and most of the sources quoted in the article are "unnamed." As someone who has been actually in the journalism field for a few years, that covers a broad base, especially in a self-professed gossip rag. Other websites are pointing this out as rumor and you should do the same. I currently have feelers out to try to find any concrete info on this.
Anyway, on to the nuts and bolts. The Post claims that director Paul Schrader has been unceremoniously dumped from EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING, after he already turned in his final cut. Schrader was the second director on the film, replacing the sorely missed John Frankenheimer. Any reshoots that would be done would potentially bring in a third director on the troubled film, who's latest problems we covered .
One of the unnamed sources said of the row: "The whole movie is done. When Paul went to turn it in, Morgan Creek refused to give him his post-production money because they hated it. Paul had given them what was in the script - a
creepy psychological thriller, with no gore. Morgan Creek wanted gore. They think that will sell. There were huge
fights between Paul, who is more artistic, and the company, and earlier this week Paul was fired. They are planning on hiring a new director to reshoot some scenes. They'll probably have the new director shoot a couple of (gory)scenes. Paul is a great filmmaker; there was just something different Morgan Creek had in mind. The script they gave Paul just didn't translate well onto the screen."
Like I said, take it with a grain of salt and I'll find out what I can. If this is true, this is terrible news. Paul Schrader is the Oscar-winning writer of TAXI DRIVER (my personal favorite film, so I am a bit biased), RAGING BULL and THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, to name a few. His directing efforts have included such underrated gems as CAT PEOPLE, MISHIMA, LIGHT SLEEPER and last year's brilliant AUTO FOCUS.
Morgan Creek also produced the buried treasure that is EXORCIST III. They reportedly were at odds with writer-director William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the original EXORCIST and LEGION, the novel upon which EXORCIST III was based. According to the , Blatty rewrote part of the script after test screenings on Morgan Creek's request. This also allegedly led to some minor restructuring which included bringing in Nichol Williamson to perform the part of Father Morning.
No news on whether the alleged retooling would effect EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING's February release date.
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[I 30 news-287 I]Comment on EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING in our !
I should preface this story by saying that the source is the (Don't bother looking up the actual story, unless you want to pay for it). Not all of our readers are familiar with the Post, but let me assure, it doesn't have the same reputation as the Times. is the equivalent of the Mirror or the Enquirer, and most of the sources quoted in the article are "unnamed." As someone who has been actually in the journalism field for a few years, that covers a broad base, especially in a self-professed gossip rag. Other websites are pointing this out as rumor and you should do the same. I currently have feelers out to try to find any concrete info on this.
Anyway, on to the nuts and bolts. The Post claims that director Paul Schrader has been unceremoniously dumped from EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING, after he already turned in his final cut. Schrader was the second director on the film, replacing the sorely missed John Frankenheimer. Any reshoots that would be done would potentially bring in a third director on the troubled film, who's latest problems we covered .
One of the unnamed sources said of the row: "The whole movie is done. When Paul went to turn it in, Morgan Creek refused to give him his post-production money because they hated it. Paul had given them what was in the script - a
creepy psychological thriller, with no gore. Morgan Creek wanted gore. They think that will sell. There were huge
fights between Paul, who is more artistic, and the company, and earlier this week Paul was fired. They are planning on hiring a new director to reshoot some scenes. They'll probably have the new director shoot a couple of (gory)scenes. Paul is a great filmmaker; there was just something different Morgan Creek had in mind. The script they gave Paul just didn't translate well onto the screen."
Like I said, take it with a grain of salt and I'll find out what I can. If this is true, this is terrible news. Paul Schrader is the Oscar-winning writer of TAXI DRIVER (my personal favorite film, so I am a bit biased), RAGING BULL and THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, to name a few. His directing efforts have included such underrated gems as CAT PEOPLE, MISHIMA, LIGHT SLEEPER and last year's brilliant AUTO FOCUS.
Morgan Creek also produced the buried treasure that is EXORCIST III. They reportedly were at odds with writer-director William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the original EXORCIST and LEGION, the novel upon which EXORCIST III was based. According to the , Blatty rewrote part of the script after test screenings on Morgan Creek's request. This also allegedly led to some minor restructuring which included bringing in Nichol Williamson to perform the part of Father Morning.
No news on whether the alleged retooling would effect EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING's February release date.
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[I 30 news-287 I]Comment on EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING in our !