I agree. William Peter Blatty disputed it. He said Shirley claimed he broke into her house and stole a picture of her daughter, among other assertions. He said he envisioned Shirley in the role, but it was not based on her.
I read the book long before I saw the movie, and throughout the entire book, all I could think was "This is Shirley MacLaine". Red-haired movie actress in her 30s, pixie haircut, one daughter.....yeah. In the written dialogue, I could hear Shirley's voice speaking the words. This doesn't surprise me in the least.
In "The Exorcist: From Novel to Film," Blatty revealed he wanted MacLaine to play the part in the film, since he had really written it for her. But director Bill Friedkin preferred Ellen Burstyn, and in the meantime MacLaine shot the picture, "The Posession of Joel Delaney," which put her out of the running. Interestingly, after seeing "Delany" on TV in 1980s, my brother, who had no knowledge of all this, remarked, "Shirley MacLaine would have been perfect as the mother in 'The Exorcist'."
Friedkin didn't prefer Ellen Burstyn, it was Shirley MacLaine that turned down the role. In fact, he only chose Burstyn after Anne Bancroft and other actresses turned down the role for having other commitments and demandings.
Blatty wanted Warner Bros. to offer her the role. She turned it down (due to her and her daughter's association to the characters; and also because the prior year she had starred in THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY, a horror film about demonic possession and didn't want to be typecast in those kind of roles). I'm unsure what other actresses auditioned but it was down to Ellen Burstyn and Anne Bancroft when Friedkin flew to NYC to meet them both and make the casting decision.
Oh, BULL! Babs was offered KING KONG....but the actresses contacted were AUDREY HEPBURN, ANNE BANCROFT, JANE FONDA and SHIRLEY. FONDA was the only one to actually say "No thanks". ANNE was pregnant, AUDREY said, "Only if we film in Rome" and SHIRLEY wanted SIR LEW GRADE to Produce and have Blatty step-aside! FRIEDKIN wanted unknowns who could act to make it more realistic. Friedkin got a call from Burstyn (who begged for the role). He met with her and she got the role. She was PERFECT!!!
I was just thinking about this recently, and a lot of people maybe wouldn't agree with me on this, but I think that Julie Andrews actually would've been a great Chris McNeil. Admittedly, I couldn't picture Julie saying a lot of the cuss words that were used by Burstyn in the movie. But if some of that could've been toned down, I think she would've been perfect in the role. Andrews possesses a real strength that would've fit that part, I think, brilliantly. And, emotionally she would've great in all of the intense scenes in the movie. Plus, she could've shed her Mary Poppins/Maria Von Trapp goody-two-shoes image long before she did in husband Blake Edwards' films like S.O.B. and Victor/Victoria.
William Peter Blatty was actually a comedy writer. He only played a joke on poor Shirley. But it turned out to be a worldwide, multi-million, absolutely scary, joke. She's probably asked often if her daughter was really possesed.
Hmm yeah makes sense now he used her as his role model. Even with the seperated hubby too though i do not think Shirley divorced her hubby then they live on seperate contents for years. He lived in Japan in moive they put him in Rome and he never comes to see Regan and the demon tells her horrible things about her mom, burke and her dad farther isolating her.
I've heard it said several times that Fonda referred to The Exorcist as "capitalist bullshit," which I think is a scream. I've always wondered if any interviewer has ever asked her about that.
Oh, BULL! Babs was offered KING KONG....but the actresses contacted were AUDREY HEPBURN, ANNE BANCROFT, JANE FONDA and SHIRLEY. FONDA was the only one to actually say "No thanks". ANNE was pregnant, AUDREY said, "Only if we film in Rome" and SHIRLEY wanted SIR LEW GRADE to Produce and have Blatty step-aside! FRIEDKIN wanted unknowns who could act to make it more realistic. Friedkin got a call from Burstyn (who begged for the role). He met with her and she got the role. She was PERFECT!!!
The picture was distorted to not make it too obvious, that was the accusation anyway. Blatty denied this, and said the publishers provided the picture.
Of please.... She's trying to get recognition. None of which, makes sense. She's just pissed off that she filmed "The Possession of Joel Delaney," instead of "The Exorcist!" Carve us a break, Shirley!
well.. let's admit that ellen burstyn did a greeeat job on chris macneil.
It's suprising that so few people know this so very interesting fact.
I agree. William Peter Blatty disputed it. He said Shirley claimed he broke into her house and stole a picture of her daughter, among other assertions. He said he envisioned Shirley in the role, but it was not based on her.
I read the book long before I saw the movie, and throughout the entire book, all I could think was "This is Shirley MacLaine". Red-haired movie actress in her 30s, pixie haircut, one daughter.....yeah. In the written dialogue, I could hear Shirley's voice speaking the words. This doesn't surprise me in the least.
Stop lying!
In "The Exorcist: From Novel to Film," Blatty revealed he wanted MacLaine to play the part in the film, since he had really written it for her. But director Bill Friedkin preferred Ellen Burstyn, and in the meantime MacLaine shot the picture, "The Posession of Joel Delaney," which put her out of the running.
Interestingly, after seeing "Delany" on TV in 1980s, my brother, who had no knowledge of all this, remarked, "Shirley MacLaine would have been perfect as the mother in 'The Exorcist'."
Friedkin didn't prefer Ellen Burstyn, it was Shirley MacLaine that turned down the role. In fact, he only chose Burstyn after Anne Bancroft and other actresses turned down the role for having other commitments and demandings.
Isn't it strange how some of the greatest stories in the world come about?
Blatty wanted Warner Bros. to offer her the role. She turned it down (due to her and her daughter's association to the characters; and also because the prior year she had starred in THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY, a horror film about demonic possession and didn't want to be typecast in those kind of roles). I'm unsure what other actresses auditioned but it was down to Ellen Burstyn and Anne Bancroft when Friedkin flew to NYC to meet them both and make the casting decision.
I think he selected GEORGETOWN because that's where he was an undergrad.
Wow. I never knew that.
oh yeah when i hear the word Exorcist the first name that pops in my head is Shirley MacLames.
Oh, BULL!
Babs was offered KING KONG....but the actresses contacted were AUDREY HEPBURN, ANNE BANCROFT, JANE FONDA and SHIRLEY.
FONDA was the only one to actually say "No thanks".
ANNE was pregnant, AUDREY said, "Only if we film in Rome" and SHIRLEY
wanted SIR LEW GRADE to Produce and have Blatty step-aside!
FRIEDKIN wanted unknowns who could act to make it more realistic.
Friedkin got a call from Burstyn (who begged for the role).
He met with her and she got the role.
She was PERFECT!!!
Carl Daigrepont and has a spinal injury she still suffers from so does Linda Blair
Very manic use of capitalizations here
I was just thinking about this recently, and a lot of people maybe wouldn't agree with me on this, but I think that Julie Andrews actually would've been a great Chris McNeil. Admittedly, I couldn't picture Julie saying a lot of the cuss words that were used by Burstyn in the movie. But if some of that could've been toned down, I think she would've been perfect in the role. Andrews possesses a real strength that would've fit that part, I think, brilliantly. And, emotionally she would've great in all of the intense scenes in the movie. Plus, she could've shed her Mary Poppins/Maria Von Trapp goody-two-shoes image long before she did in husband Blake Edwards' films like S.O.B. and Victor/Victoria.
I heard that a boy was the reason of this movie?
This broads's done it all. She dont need you or i to voice our opinion
William Peter Blatty was actually a comedy writer. He only played a joke on poor Shirley. But it turned out to be a worldwide, multi-million, absolutely scary, joke. She's probably asked often if her daughter was really possesed.
Hmm yeah makes sense now he used her as his role model. Even with the seperated hubby too though i do not think Shirley divorced her hubby then they live on seperate contents for years. He lived in Japan in moive they put him in Rome and he never comes to see Regan and the demon tells her horrible things about her mom, burke and her dad farther isolating her.
she said she channels
I've heard it said several times that Fonda referred to The Exorcist as "capitalist bullshit," which I think is a scream. I've always wondered if any interviewer has ever asked her about that.
Oh, BULL!
Babs was offered KING KONG....but the actresses contacted were AUDREY HEPBURN, ANNE BANCROFT, JANE FONDA and SHIRLEY.
FONDA was the only one to actually say "No thanks".
ANNE was pregnant, AUDREY said, "Only if we film in Rome" and SHIRLEY
wanted SIR LEW GRADE to Produce and have Blatty step-aside!
FRIEDKIN wanted unknowns who could act to make it more realistic.
Friedkin got a call from Burstyn (who begged for the role).
He met with her and she got the role.
She was PERFECT!!!
Jessica Lange was in King Kong
@@richelleflores2664 Four years later in 1976 and this was her first film role. The rest is history.
Barbara turned down alice doesn't live here anymore also
This is unfair to Shirley Maclaine and her daughter. :(
Oh, please....sour grapes! Miss Warren Beatty is just too bitter about movie crap!
I would feel honored to be the inspiration to a character in a classic film
I think she regret not accepting the role
William Blatty based the role on Chris McNiel after her. They're best friends till this day.
How is the cover of the Exorcist book a picture of Shirley MacLaine's daughter? It looks like a ghost, not a person.
The picture was distorted to not make it too obvious, that was the accusation anyway. Blatty denied this, and said the publishers provided the picture.
They picked a scary picture for a scary story. Both where"outside the box."
Of please.... She's trying to get recognition. None of which, makes sense. She's just pissed off that she filmed "The Possession of Joel Delaney," instead of "The Exorcist!" Carve us a break, Shirley!
I wonder when your generation will learn how to utilize google.
@AndoDouglas The author of the book, not the director of the film.
I agree too.