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
Regan MacNeil Regan is revealed to have psychic healing powers (the reason why the demon attacked her previously). For "The Exorcist III", Carolco Pictures had the idea of a grown up Regan who gives birth to possessed twins but it was abandoned and the story was switched to Blatty's novel "Legion" instead. John Carpenter was asked to direct "The Exorcist III", but backed out when he realized William Peter Blatty really wanted to direct himself and because of creative differences, however they remained friends. Regan McNeil appears in the television series "The Exorcist". As an adult she changed her name to Angela