Star-studded cast

While 'The Exorcist' has a stellar cast, the picture very nearly had many of Hollywood's heaviest hitters star.

The likes of Jack Nicholson and Paul Newman were considered to play Father Damien Karras, though director William Friedkin instead cast Jason Miller because he "had an instinct to not hire a star".

The filmmaker explained: "I did not want to put someone like that in a priest collar."

As for Father Lankester Merrin, Warner Bros. wanted Marlon Brando to portray the character, but Friedkin refused the suggestion because he knew his casting would detract from 'The Exorcist' story and become a "Brando movie".

The priest was ultimately portrayed by Max Von Sydow.