Russell Crowe Open to Returning for The Pope’s Exorcist Sequel

The Oscar‑winner confirmed he’s open to playing Father Gabriele Amorth again, keeping the door ajar for the long‑awaited follow‑up.

Russell Crowe told ScreenRant he’d be keen to reprise Father Gabriele Amorth if a second Pope’s Exorcist gets the green light. The comment came during a chat with Ash Crossan, where the actor reflected on his long‑standing aversion to sequels and how his view has shifted.

Crowe explained that early in his career he shunned follow‑ups, believing they rarely lived up to the original. He said the industry’s recent track record of turning sequels into cultural landmarks has softened his stance. “There are certain characters where I’ve been approached about a sequel, like Gabriele Amorth in The Pope’s Exorcist. They want to do another one of those, and that’s such a rich character…we’ve only just scratched the surface,” he said.

Why the sequel matters

The first film, directed by Julius Avery and released in 2023, introduced audiences to the real‑life Vatican exorcist whose memoirs inspired the screenplay. Producer Jeff Katz announced in May 2024 that the project had officially moved forward, promising fans a continuation of the dark, ritual‑laden world. Crowe’s remarks shows the amount of untapped material in Amorth’s twelve books, suggesting the sequel could explore fresh hauntings beyond the original’s Italian setting.

While the sequel’s script and shooting schedule remain under wraps, the actor’s willingness to return adds weight to the franchise’s momentum. Crowe, who has never actually starred in a sequel despite a three‑decade filmography, hinted that a fresh take on the character could avoid the pitfalls he once feared. He noted that many sequels now receive the same creative care as their predecessors, turning them into iconic entries rather than cash‑grabbers.

Industry observers point out that the greenlit sequel already has studio backing from Screen Gems, which holds the rights to Amorth’s memoirs. The lack of a release window means the project could still be in early development, but Crowe’s public endorsement may accelerate negotiations.

Fans have taken to social media, urging the studio to lock in a release date and asking whether the priest will travel abroad for a new case. The buzz is modest compared with blockbuster franchises, but the combination of a celebrated lead and a true‑story premise keeps the conversation alive.

No official trailer or cast list has surfaced, and the only confirmed element remains Crowe’s potential return. Until the studio drops more specifics, the sequel lives in a limbo of speculation, with the actor’s comment serving as the latest piece of the puzzle.

The next update is likely to come from either Katz or the studio’s press office, which may announce a shooting schedule or a tentative release slot for the holiday season. Until then, the exorcist’s story hangs in the balance, waiting for the right moment to re‑emerge on the big screen.