'The Exorcist' Prequel Gets a Director

Posted Tuesday, August 14, 2001 at 12:27 PM Central

by Heather Koehler

Even though The Exorcist II: The Heretic and III didn't fare nearly as well as the first thriller, Hollywood is ready for a fourth with acclaimed director John Frankenheimer taking lead in the project.

The 1973 exorcism made audiences hide under their seats and John hopes to do the same with his version which is still untitled. After reading the rewrite from Caleb Carr, John couldn't wait to sign on the dotted line.

This 'Exorcist IV' traces back to Father Merrin's first encounter with the Devil, which is given less than one page of attention in the first novel.

John Frankenheimer has won four Emmy's for Best Director and was just awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hollywood Film Festival.