Although there are five official sequels (including two versions of the same movie) and a TV show, The Exorcist III remains the only follow-up worthy of that vaunted horror name. Written and directed by original Exorcist author William Peter Blatty, who adapted his 1983 novel Legion, The Exorcist III (1990) is flawed, but it’s the only film since the first to explore the nature of evil and faith in a chilling metaphysical context. Even the studio's late-stage tampering couldn't sabotage an excellent, underrated coda that takes the ideas of the original film in a new direction.
Blatty originally wanted original Exorcist director William Friedkin to helm the picture, but when Friedkin passed, Blatty insisted on directing himself. He also wanted to retain Legion as the title to avoid any connection to John Boorman’s disastrous 1977 film Exorcist II: The Heretic, but was overruled by the production company behind the project, Morgan Creek. It wouldn’t be the last time they interfered.
