SUBMITTED BY Scooby

November 12, 2002 — Principal photography has commenced in Morocco on Morgan Creek Productions' Exorcist: The Beginning, the prequel to the classic 1973 supernatural thriller The Exorcist, it was announced today by James G. Robinson, Chairman/CEO and Guy McElwaine, President of Morgan Creek Productions.

Stellan Skarsgerd will portray the young Father Merrin, a role made famous in the original film by Max Von Sydow. The prequel traces the story of Father Merrin back to his first encounter with the Devil in post-WWII Africa.

Produced by Morgan Creek Productions, "The Beginning" will be directed by Paul Schrader (Auto Focus). The film also stars Gabriel Mann (The Bourne Identity), Clara Bellar (A.I. Artificial Intelligence) and recording star Billy Crawford. James G. Robinson will serve as the film's producer and Guy McElwaine will executive produce. The screenplay is by William Wisher (Terminator 2: Judgment Day).

After completing work in Morocco, the production will move to Rome for the remainder of the schedule.