EXCLUSIVE: Russell Crowe offers an update on the anticipated The Pope’s Exorcist 2
Russell Crowe has given fans a fresh update about the long-anticipated follow-up to The Pope’s Exorcist. The original movie, directed by Julius Avery and released in 2023, starred Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s chief exorcist, who travels to Spain to investigate the alleged possession of an American boy. The film performed solidly at the box office and paved the way for plans to continue the story, but details about a sequel have been sparse until now.
During a recent conversation with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan on the Unabomber podcast, Crowe addressed the possibility of returning as Amorth. He made clear that he’s open to revisiting the character — a notable shift given his long-standing reluctance about sequels. Crowe explained that for much of his career he viewed follow-ups warily, having grown up in an era when sequels were often inferior copies made primarily for profit. Over time, though, he’s seen the landscape change: some sequels have not only matched their originals but surpassed them in stature. That evolution has softened his stance, and he said he’s no longer automatically opposed to doing a second film.
Crowe added that he has already been approached about continuing Amorth’s story. He pointed out that the real Father Gabriele Amorth authored a dozen books recounting his cases, which means there’s a wealth of material still untapped for cinema. For Crowe, that makes the character particularly fertile ground for another film.
That said, Crowe’s openness doesn’t necessarily mean a sequel is imminent. The follow-up was first announced as being in development in spring 2023, but information has been intermittent since then. It’s also unclear whether Julius Avery would return to direct the project.
A look back at the production history shows a few twists: in May 2024 Crowe revealed that early ideas envisioned a trilogy, but those plans stalled after a shakeup among executives at Screen Gems and Sony. Later the same month, producer Jeff Katz posted on social media indicating the sequel had received a green light, but beyond that and Crowe’s latest remarks, there’s been little public movement.
Crowe’s willingness to step back into Amorth’s shoes is significant. If the Gladiator star remains attached, that could help accelerate casting and other production decisions. Given how well the first movie did financially, it’s reasonable to expect that momentum could help push The Pope’s Exorcist 2 forward in the months ahead.
The original film was made on an estimated $18 million production budget and brought in about $77 million worldwide — roughly $20 million from the U.S. and $56 million internationally. Critics were divided: it holds about 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience-oriented metrics like the Popcornmeter rate it much higher at around 80%. While opinions on the film varied, Crowe’s portrayal of Amorth was widely singled out for praise, even as some reviewers criticized the picture for adhering too closely to familiar possession-horror tropes.
If a sequel does get the go-ahead, there is plenty of source material available. The first movie drew from the real-life case files and memoirs of Father Gabriele Amorth, and with a dozen books to his name, filmmakers would have many additional incidents and anecdotes to adapt for the screen.
Whether The Pope’s Exorcist 2 ultimately moves from development to production remains uncertain, but Crowe’s continuing interest in reprising Amorth is encouraging for supporters of the franchise. Notably, a returning Amorth would mark a milestone in Crowe’s career: it would be the actor’s first time appearing in a sequel to one of his own films.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
