Exorcist II: The Heretic with the idea of directing a sequel, explaining that "every film has to struggle to find a connection with its audience. Here I saw the chance to make an extremely ambitious film without having to spend the time developing this connection. I could make assumptions and then take the audience on a very adventurous cinematic journey." Linda Blair agreed to reprise her role of Regan MacNeil for "Exorcist II", but refused to wear demon make-up (a double was used for the brief flashback scenes depicting a demonic Regan). Max von Sydow was persuaded by Boorman to reprise the role of
The Exorcist III deal with Morgan Creek, Blatty was to direct the movie himself, and it was to be filmed on location in Georgetown. The central role of Lt. Kinderman had to be recast, as Lee J. Cobb, who played the part in "The Exorcist", had died in 1976. Oscar-winner George C. Scott signed up for the role, impressed by Blatty's screenplay: "It's a horror film and much more... It's a real drama, intricately crafted, with offbeat interesting characters...and that's what makes it genuinely frightening." Several cast members from Blatty's previous film "The Ninth Configuration" (1980) appear in "The Exorcist III": Jason Miller,