Can't be much worse than the other version, I figure (via Dark Horizons):
It's long been talked about that Paul Schrader's dumped cut of "Exorcist: The Beginning" wouldn't be appearing anywhere until a special DVD boxset of the whole series came out sometime next year.
Now, Moviehole reports that his version is set to be released as a stand-alone movie all of its own. "Paul is currently in post-production on the movie, as we're anticipating a limited theatrical release here in the United States sometime in 2005" a representative of Morgan Creek told the Aussie film site this morning.
Schrader turned in a finished film to Morgan Creek, who promptly fired him for not giving with the gorefest the producers wanted. Renny Harlin was brought in to add new scenes and "juice things up," which he did, shooting almost 90% new material. Harlin's version became the Exorcist: The Beginning that came and went in the blink of an eye earlier this year.
Word is that Schrader's film is much more atmospheric and psychological, in keeping with the spirit of the original. I'm glad this is coming to the big screen and not DVD, the better to make a more legitimate comparison.
My thoughts on Harlin's take are pretty well known. Nice to see Schrader getting his shot.
Maybe now there's hope someone can get Paul W.S. Anderson off the Alien franchise.
this is good to hear....The original still scares the hell outta me, and it'd be interesting to watch a new film that relies on the mind vs. the eyes. Slasher, bloody stuff if easy to do -- how about something mindbending for a chang