WILMINGTON — Local audiences will get a sneak peek of a film that wrapped production in town in 2019, before it hits theaters across the nation.
READ MORE: Locally filmed Russell Crowe movie gets release date
“The Exorcism,” starring Russell Crowe, will debut on June 12, as sponsored by the Film Partnership of North Carolina, nine days before it debuts across the states. It will be shown at Wilmington’s historic Thalian Hall, with a pre-screening red carpet.
“It is a privilege to host this advance premiere,” Thalian Hall CEO Shane Fernando said in a release. “I love showing that our city is the perfect place for all stages of film production, from conception and casting, to the first night on the silver screen!”
A post question-and-answer session will take place with the film’s director Joshua John Miller, who co-wrote the movie with M.A. Fortin, also in attendance. Joining them will be Dee Snider of ’80s metal band, Twisted Sister (“We’re Not Gonna Take It”).
The psychological thriller — formerly known as “The Georgetown Project” while in production — centers on the supernatural, particularly troubled actor Anthony Miller (Crowe). He becomes unhinged while filming a horror movie and his estranged daughter (Simpkins) is concerned it’s due to his harried past or questions if a more sinister undertaking is at play.
The cast also includes Sam Worthington (“Avatar: The Way of Water”), Chloe Bailey (“Praise This”), Adam Goldberg (“The Equalizer”) and David Hyde Pierce (“Frasier”). The Miramax film, picked up Vertical Entertainment, was produced by Kevin Williamson (“Dawson’s Creek,” “Scream”) and Outerbanks Entertainment.
Miller and Fortin have been collaborators on other productions, including “The Final Girls” and “Queen of the South.” Miller noted the idea for the film took shape in childhood, while watching his father and actor Jason Miller take on Father Karras in the horror classic “The Exorcist.”
“If that wasn’t haunting enough on its own, my dad never shied away from telling me stories of just how ‘cursed’ the movie was: the mysterious fires that plagued the production, the strange deaths, the lifelong injuries — the list went on and on. The lore of any ‘cursed film’ has captivated me ever since,” Miller said in a statement.
“The Exorcist” is Snider’s favorite film. The singer/songwriter, actor, producer, author, and air personality has an affinity for the genre, even starring in and writing “Strangeland” in 1998. Snider is the president of the new North Carolina-based production company Defiant Artists.
“Special events like this exciting advance premiere help bring global attention to this corner of the world,” he said in a release. “North Carolina and Wilmington are a great place for TV and film production.”
Tickets are $15 and go on-sale to the public here on June 3 or by calling the box office at 910-632-2285. The red carpet will open at 6:30 p.m., with the screening taking place at 7:30 p.m. at 310 Chestnut Street.
Lear more about the movie here.
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