Question 1

Why does a Pepsi machine appear in this film despite the director's agreement against product placement?

Accepted Answer

Pepsico co-financed the film with leftover funds in Hungary, requiring shooting in Budapest. Director William Peter Blatty agreed to no product placement but slightly relented, allowing a brief Pepsi machine appearance.

Question 2

How is this film connected to The Exorcist according to its creator?

Accepted Answer

Writer-director William Peter Blatty considers it the true sequel to The Exorcist, dealing with the mystery of good. Captain Cutshaw is the same astronaut Regan warns in The Exorcist book.

Question 3

What unusual backstory was planned for Robert Loggia's character but ultimately cut from the film?

Accepted Answer

Captain Bennish's backstory would have shown his platoon helping Vietnamese refugees, with an elderly woman turning out to be a Vietcong agent who kills a young marine, causing Bennish's mental breakdown.

Question 4

How did Joe Spinell end up playing a character with his own last name in the film?

Accepted Answer

Joe Spinell begged his friend William Peter Blatty for a role. Since no part existed, his character was named 'Spinell' and given nearly all ad-libbed dialogue as a patient sidekick to Jason Miller's Lieutenant Reno.

Question 5

What happened when several actors got arrested during filming in Hungary?

Accepted Answer

During a night out drinking, several actors got into a bar fight with German soldiers and were arrested. Joe Spinell charmed the police by telling stories about The Godfather after they recognized him.

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