'Exorcist' Director William Friedkin Dead at 87

'Exorcist' Director William Friedkin Dead at 87

'Exorcist' Director , William Friedkin , Dead at 87.

CNN reports that iconic film director William Friedkin, , best known for 'The French Connection' , and 'The Exorcist,' has died at the age of 87.

The director's wife, Sherry Lansing, the former CEO of Paramount Pictures, shared the news with 'The Hollywood Reporter.'.

In 1972, Friedkin won the Oscar for best director for his film 'The French Connection.'.

In 1972, Friedkin won the Oscar for best director for his film 'The French Connection.'.

Two years later, his occult horror film , 'The Exorcist' , amassed ten nominations and two wins.

Two years later, his occult horror film , 'The Exorcist' , amassed ten nominations and two wins.

His other film credits also include 1980's 'Cruising' and 2000's 'Rules of Engagement,' with Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L.

Jackson.

Most recently, Friedkin directed 2017's 'The Devil and Father Amort.'.

According to his IMDB page, the director still has one film waiting to be released, titled 'The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,' with Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke and Jake Lacy.

CNN reports that Friedkin's most iconic film, 'The Exorcist,' is set to be reboot in October, marking the 50th anniversary of the original movie's release.

CNN reports that Friedkin's most iconic film, 'The Exorcist,' is set to be reboot in October, marking the 50th anniversary of the original movie's release.

I recognize that audiences for generations have considered it a horror film.

I won’t deny that, but when I set out to make it, the writer and I never had any concept of it as a horror film.

We thought of it as a powerful, emotional, disturbing story, William Friedkin, via 'Cinephilia Beyond'.

I recognize that audiences for generations have considered it a horror film.

I won’t deny that, but when I set out to make it, the writer and I never had any concept of it as a horror film.

We thought of it as a powerful, emotional, disturbing story, William Friedkin, via 'Cinephilia Beyond'.

In a 2013 interiew with NPR, Friedkin revealed that he hadn't been the first choice to helm the story of satanic possession.

That film, before it came to me, had been turned down by Stanley Kubrick, Arthur Penn and Mike Nichols.

I was sort of the last man standing, and they made the decision shortly after I won the Academy Award for ‘The French Connection.’, William Friedkin, via 'Cinephilia Beyond'.

That film, before it came to me, had been turned down by Stanley Kubrick, Arthur Penn and Mike Nichols.

I was sort of the last man standing, and they made the decision shortly after I won the Academy Award for ‘The French Connection.’, William Friedkin, via 'Cinephilia Beyond'