The Role Of Regan

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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Linda Blair

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Camelot_2000 — 12 years ago(September 06, 2013 10:48 PM)

There were allegations from the late Dana Plato (Diff'rent Strokes) about landing that role in
The Exorcist
, but turned it down due to not wanting to get typecast. Several years ago a friend of the late actress, Annisa Jones (Family Affair), bluntly stated on a daytime talk show (topic: troubled child stars) that Annisa landed the role too, but she was tired of acting at the time and turned it down like Dana did.
Interesting that it appeared Blair was 3rd in line to get the role, but the writer of The Exorcist, William Peter Blatty, said he had no "recollection" of Dana ever landing the role at all and that Dana herself might've been responsible for the rumor. As for Annisa, she auditioned, but never did get the part like her friend claimed.
Anyway you look at it, Linda Blair got the role of Regan and I don't think any other actress had ever been chosen first over her.
The m2000ore I study it, the greater the puzzle becomes.
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad

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SimplemindedSociety — 12 years ago(January 19, 2014 10:55 PM)

'As for Annisa, she auditioned, but never did get the part like her friend claimed.'

I heard she was offered it. It would make sense: Jones was already a name, and had the ideal look for it(especially to play up for the press)

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valro — 12 years ago(January 22, 2014 02:44 PM)

One of the reasons Linda was chosen was due to her physical resemblance to Ellen Burstyn. Another child actress who was also up for that role was Pamelyn Ferdin, who resembled Linda a great deal.

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geffers262-436-673551 — 12 years ago(January 23, 2014 08:14 PM)

On the new commentary for Halloween, Jamie Lee Curtis says the casting director asked her to audition for the role of Regan but her mother, Janet Leigh, bluntly refused.

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justinohearn — 12 years ago(February 03, 2014 06:27 PM)

Denise Nickerson who is most famous for playing Violet Beauregard in Willy Wonka was considered for the part to. Her mother took her out of the running after she read about the crucifix scene.