Forget Linda Blair’s devil-possessed munchkin versus the Church of God in 1973 classic The Exorcist. The most fascinating battle in the faint-inducing horror franchise is arguably between Morgan Creek Productions and prequel director Paul Schrader. Indeed, the latter no doubt dreamt about some head-spinning, vomit-spewing vengeance of his own after concerned execs essentially swore off his 2005 entry Dominion with a crucifix.
Producer James G. Robinson had initially planned to revive the series which had lain dormant since 1990’s The Exorcist III several years earlier. But thanks to constant changes behind the scenes — first choice director Tom McLoughlin departed over creative differences, while replacement John Frankenheimer was forced to leave over ill health — the project only truly got off the ground when Schrader came on board. And then the drama really started.
