Linda Blair’s head is spinning again.
“I’m just getting texts from everybody,” she exclusively told The Post on Monday after it was announced that Ellen Burstyn would reprise her 1973 “Exorcist” role of Chris MacNeil — mother of devil-possessed teen Regan MacNeil, played by Blair — for an upcoming $400 million sequel trilogy to the classic horror film.
However, one key casting question was not addressed by the announcement: Will Linda Blair reprise her own character for the project?
On Monday evening, the 62-year-old actress shared a statement on Twitter, noting that “as of now there has not been any discussions about me participating or reprising my role,” adding that she “wished all those involved the best and I appreciate the loyalty and passion the fans have for The Exorcist and my character.”
Blair further told The Post that representatives for screenwriter and director David Gordon Green (of the acclaimed “Halloween” trilogy reboot), Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Productions — who are teaming up for the revisit — did reach out to tip her off about the movie series.
That conversation, though, did not include an actual job offer, or even a cameo pitch.
“They were polite enough to call. We spoke how amazing Ellen Burstyn is and that was as far as the conversation went,” she said. “I have no idea what the project is about and I have not been engaged in a conversation of participation. It was just letting me know they were going to do the film.”
But Blair knows her fanbase, and when reached by phone in Acton, California — where she runs the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, an animal rescue organization — the actress said “everybody is up in arms right now” about her absence.
In fact, a sampling of social media feedback found hell-raising fans asking, pointedly, “But uh… what about Linda Blair?”
“Why would you not hire Linda Blair if you’re adding Ellen Burstyn, who played her mom? Blair was excellent in the first movie (I don’t count the second movie),” noted one commenter, who apparently liked the original but dissed the 1977 “Exorcist II: The Heretic” sequel in which she also starred.
Another spooked supporter proclaimed that ”linda blair better at LEAST make a cameo in it or i dont want it.”
Blair, who along with 88-year-old Burstyn was Oscar-nominated for her role, wouldn’t say whether she would even consider taking on Regan again. She also wouldn’t entertain whether fan reaction could sway the producers to rethink excluding her.
“Do I think they’ll reach back around and realize, ‘Oops’? I have no idea, kiddo. I’m kind of not venturing down the road thinking about it,” she said. “Let’s see what happens in a week. I think they’re about to be surprised. I don’t think they saw coming what the fans are doing right now — and I don’t blame the fans. To many fans, it’s about Regan’s survival and what she went through.
“If they want to come back around about what should be done and what the fans want, that’s a different dialogue,” she said, adding, “I don’t think they’re going to.”
“The Exorcist” was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 1974 and won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. Blair was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, but lost to Tatum ONeal, who was just 10 years old, for her role in “Paper Moon.”
The first movie in the rebooted trilogy is expected to premiere in October 2023, with the subsequent two installments streaming on Universal’s streaming service, Peacock.
