Linda Blair, Linda Blair in ‘The Exorcist’.Photo:Jody Cortes/Getty; Warner Bros. Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty
Jody Cortes/Getty; Warner Bros. Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty
Linda Blairis speaking candidly about reprising her iconicThe Exorcistrole 50 years later.While chatting with PEOPLE about her non-profit organizationThe Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, the actress, 64, also opens up about revisiting her role of Regan MacNeil inTheExorcist: Believer. (She last played the part in 1977’sExorcist II: The Heretic.)
When asked what it was like getting to embody Regan again after five decades, Blair admits that it was “bizarre.”
“That’s the honest answer,” she continues. “[But it was] really incredible.”
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Linda Blair.Chris Ameruoso
Chris Ameruoso
The project was a critical and commercial success, earning $441 million at the worldwide box office. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and became the first horror film to ever be Oscar-nominated for Best Picture.
Exorcist: Believersees the return of Chris as she agrees to help a single father (Leslie Odom Jr.) when his daughter and her best friend become possessed.
In the film, it is revealed that Chris and Regan have a strained relationship and haven’t spoken in years, but after a horrific incident involving Chris, Regan comes to her mother’s hospital bedside during one of the film’s final scenes.
Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn in ‘The Exorcist’.Warner Bros. Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty
Warner Bros. Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty
According to Blair, those working behind the scenes on the latestExorcistfilm kept in touch with her amid the process of crafting the project.
“When they started working onBelievera couple of years ago, I was aware of it, and they all knew I wanted nothing to do with it,” she explains. “They created their production, and when they came to me and said, ‘We are doing this and we just want your blessing,’ I was like, ‘Of course.’ "
Noting that fans “got really upset” when it was announced that Burstyn, 91, would be reprising her role and she would not, Blair says she was too busy working with her animal foundation to devote time to the movie.
But, when filmmakers approached her about joining the project as an advisor to the film’s two young actresses, Blair obliged. “I wanted to make sure they were okay,” she says.
Eventually, Blair’s BTS role transitioned into one in front of the camera, and the star was tapped for her cameo, whichBelieverdirector David Gordon Green previouslytold PEOPLEwas “a beautiful moment.”
“We got to go and play and bring a smile to everybody’s face,” Blair says. “And I think that’s really important.”
She also admits that a large part of why she ended up reprising her role was so she could eventually promote her nonprofit and bring awareness to animals in need.
“I’m hoping that people understand I did the film to get the ability to talk and to ask for help, for those that need help,” Blair says.
Linda Blair in ‘The Exorcist’.Warner Bros./Everett
Warner Bros./Everett
And while two sequels are already planned for the future, Blair says she has no clue if Regan will be involved in them.
“In all honesty, I know nothing,” she candidly admits. “… I don’t know what they’re doing.”
Green, 75, echoed similar sentiments while chatting with PEOPLE earlier this year, noting, “I’ve got a roadmap of infinite ideas of things that I’d like to do.”
The Exorcist: Believeris available to stream and purchase now.
source: people.com
