Linda Blair confirms she won't be part of new 'The Exorcist' trilogy

The Exorcist’s iconic star Linda Blair has confirmed she won’t be part of the upcoming film trilogy rebooting the franchise.

It’s been announced that three new films based on The Exorcist have been given the green light, with Ellen Burstyn returning as Chris MacNeil after 48 years.

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However, while Burnstyn, 88, is reportedly on board with the $400million (£289.4million) ‘continuation’ of the Exorcist universe, Blair, 62, has gone on record and stated she will not be a part of the upcoming films.

In a statement released on Twitter, she wrote: “To all my fans asking about my involvement in the new Exorcist reboot, as of now there has not been any discussion about me participating or reprising my role.

"I wish all those involved the best and I appreciate the loyalty and passion the fans have for The Exorcist and my character."

In the original 1973 film, Blair played the troubled teen Regan MacNeil, who becomes possessed by the devil after playing with a ouija board.

Burstyn played her frantic mother Chris, who enlists the help of the clergy to eliminate the demon when it gets out of hand.

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In the new reiteration of the story, Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr will star as a father who tracks down Chris in search of help after his child becomes possessed.

The first of the trilogy is due for release in 2023, with subsequent movies to then air on Universal’s streaming service, Peacock, in the US.

All previous sequels and prequels — including a two-season series starring Geena Davis in 2016 — will be discounted, with the trilogy acting as a continuation for the original film only.

The original Exorcist earned wide critical acclaim including an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, but also courted controversy for its satanic subject matter.

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In 1974, the UK placed viewing restrictions on the film, including certain areas banning it from being shown.

In 1984, ten years after it aired in cinemas, the British Board of Film Certification refused to give it an age certificate, essentially banning it from the country as a video as the Video Recordings Act stated all distributed tapes must carry one.

All copies of The Exorcist were withdrawn from the UK in 1988, and it remained a banned video until it was finally allowed a home release in 1999.

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