Here's why Jamie Lee Curtis rejected the role of Regan in The Exorcist - and what her perfect reboot role would be. Jamie Lee Curtis is the daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, with the latter's shower murder scene in Psycho being one of the most shocking horror sequences of all time. Curtis herself has a self-professed dislike of horror and had no design on becoming involved with the genre when she was cast in 1978's Halloween. This low-budget slasher would have a seismic impact on the genre, and its success is to thank for future franchises like Friday The 13th and Scream.

Despite Halloween being the highest-grossing independent movie of all time upon release, its success did little for Jamie Lee Curtis' career. Her Halloween director John Carpenter later wrote a part especially for her in 1980's The Fog, and after that film became a hit, she had a run of horror movies like Prom Night. Curtis made a conscious effort to break out of the genre following Halloween 2 in 1981 and turned down Psycho II for that reason. Despite not being a horror viewer herself, Curtis has nothing but gratitude for the films that launched her career and the fans who supported her.

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This is a key reason she returned for both 1998's Halloween H20 and Blumhouse's 2018 Halloween legacy sequel. The latter movie paired her with director David Gordon Green, and it again proved a box-office smash. Curtis is now an undeniable horror icon, but she also came close to another groundbreaking film in the genre. In a 2018 chat with EW, the actor revealed that “When I was 13 years old, [a producer] called my mother and said, ‘Will you let Jamie audition for a movie?'” Her mother Leigh declined, however, possibly due to the content of the bestselling novel and concerns about the intense requirements of the Regan MacNeil role.

The Exorcist 1973 Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil Monsterous in Bed

Linda Blair was cast instead, but despite Janet Leigh passing on The Exorcist audition on her daughter's behalf, she and Tony Curtis later screened the movie for Jamie. Curtis recalled again to EW that she was left "freaked out" by the film, and was heavily teased at school the next day for her reaction. Her Halloween 2018 helmer Green is now heading up a planned trilogy of new Exorcist movies, with original lead Ellen Burstyn returning. Jamie Lee Curtis has suggested that "Maybe I should be the voice of the devil like Mercedes McCambridge. You see, if David gives me a part in the new Exorcist trilogy as the voice of the devil, then it is a full-circle return for me, in a meta way."

Curtis does have some voice acting experience, such as the English language dub of From Up On Poppy Hill and other animated projects. New Exorcist movie helmer Green has also proven himself a horror nerd, so it's possible he'd consider casting Jamie Lee Curtis as the new voice of Pazuzu (assuming the demonic entity returns for the new movie). It's unknown if the character of Regan will also return, as there's been no mention of Linda Blair appearing. Considering the actors are about the same age, Curtis may also be a solid choice for an older Regan - though Blumhouse likely wouldn't want to cross-pollinate two of their biggest horror franchises in such a manner.

Next: Every Jamie Lee Curtis Horror Movie Ranked From Worst To Best