Rejected 'Exorcist' prequel heading to DVD

LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- An "Exorcist" prequel that never made it into theaters reportedly will be released on DVD alongside the new, gorier version made to replace it.

The Morgan Creek movie studio fired director Paul Schrader from the first prequel, complaining the filmmaker left out the blood and guts for which the 1973 tale of demon possession was famous, Daily Variety said Wednesday.

"Cutthroat Island" and "Die Hard 2" director Renny Harlin was then hired to create a second version of "Exorcist: The Beginning," which is due out in theaters this June.

Although both films will be released on DVD at the same time, it is unclear whether they will be packaged together or sold separately, the trade paper said.

The studio is reportedly hoping the DVD release will help recoup some of millions of dollars lost on Schrader's earlier version.

"I'm very proud of my film, and I think it deserves to be seen," said Schrader, who wrote the screenplays for "Raging Bull," "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Affliction."

The two versions of the film are said to have cost approximately $86 million.