The Pope’s Exorcist starring Russell Crowe has been given a sequel according to the film’s producer.
Directed by Julius Avery (Samaritan), the supernatural horror film saw Crowe play real-life figure Father Gabriele Amorth, a Catholic priest who claimed to have performed thousands of exorcisms over his career.
The film was based on Amorth’s books, An Exorcist Tells His Story and An Exorcist: More Stories, released in 1990 and 1992 respectively. Other cast members included Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe and Franco Nero.
The film became an unexpected box office success at the cinema, making $76.9 million (£61.25million) from a budget of $18million (£14million).
Now, producer Jeff Katz, took to X, formerly Twitter, to say a sequel had been green lit.
“I just got the call,” he wrote in a post, adding that “it’s officially happening.”
He continued: “ Thank you to the amazing #ThePopesExorcist fans. You made this happen. Gas up your Lambretta – and get ready to ride.”
Amorth Nation — I just got the call. 📞📞
IT’S OFFICIALLY HAPPENING!!! ✌️✌️
“È un seguito, amici miei.” 🐦🐦
Thank you to the amazing #ThePopesExorcist fans. You made this happen. Gas up your Lambretta – and get ready to ride. 🛵🛵 pic.twitter.com/oi48mdFAfp
— It’s Katz (@PodKatz) May 2, 2024
In April 2023, as per Bloody Disgusting, early development on a sequel was believed to be underway. Crowe is also expected to return in the title role.
The original film was denounced by the Vatican as “unreliable splatter”, in a statement from the International Association of Exorcists (IAE).
“The end result is to instil the conviction that exorcism is an abnormal, monstrous, and frightening phenomenon, whose only protagonist is the devil, whose violent reactions can be faced with great difficulty,” read the statement.
“This is the exact opposite of what occurs in the context of exorcism celebrated in the Catholic church in obedience to the directives imparted by it.”
