Dan Stevens lands next lead movie role in true story exorcism horror
Dan Stevens has landed his next lead movie role in true story exorcism horror The Ritual.
The Downton Abbey star will team up with none other than Al Pacino for the new film, which is directed by David Midell and co-written by Midell and Enrico Natale.
Variety has reported that production company XYZ Films has acquired the rights to the movie, which also stars Ashley Greene and Abigail Cowen, and it is set to be released in cinemas in 2025.
Related: Yellowstone star Kevin Costner's new two-part movie confirms UK release date
According to the film’s synopsis, The Ritual "follows two priests – one questioning his faith (Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Pacino) – who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms".
The movie will bring to the screen the true story of Emma Schmidt, an American woman who in 1928 underwent a series of harrowing exorcisms after her alleged demonic possession.
Schmidt’s case remains the most thoroughly documented example of exorcism in American history.
Stevens, who is currently starring in vampire horror Abigail, shared the exciting news in an Instagram post, with the caption, "The Scent Of A Demon…? Hoo-ah!"
Related: First trailer for Zoë Kravitz's new thriller with Channing Tatum
In the comments section, Stevens’ Abigail co-star Alisha Weir, who plays the titular role in the movie, wrote: "Congratulations Dan!! So happy for you! Amazing."
Stevens is becoming well-acquainted with horror films, because as well as The Ritual and Abigail, the actor is also starring in upcoming horror film Cuckoo alongside Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer, which recently impressed critics at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy about why he is so drawn to the genre of horror, he said: "For me, it’s often filmmaker-led. I find a lot of very fun, inventive filmmakers like to work in the genre space.
"They’re very different films. They’re both a bit weird and a bit funny, as well as gory and strange. That tickles something that I enjoy, blending those genres."
The Ritual is set to be released in cinemas in 2025. Abigail is out now in cinemas.
You Might Also Like
