SUBMITTED BY Scooby

October 28, 2002 — Variety reports that the prequel, Exorcist: The Beginning, started pre-production at the Cinecitta studios in Rome last week, marking the third U.S. feature this year to take up residence on the historic lot.

The film will start shooting for seven weeks Jan. 1 in Rome after six weeks of location exteriors in Morocco. Interior sets including a cathedral, crypt and hospital will be built on Cinecitta soundstages.