According to Deadline, Oscar winner Al Pacino and Downton Abbey vet Dan Stevens have signed on to star in XYZ Films‘ upcoming exorcism-centered horror movie The Ritual. The project will be inspired by the true story of Emma Schmidt, whose real-life demonic possession became one of the most documented exorcisms in American history.
“The film follows two priests — one questioning his faith (Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Pacino) — who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms,” reads the initial synopsis.
Who’s involved in The Ritual?
The Ritual is directed by David Midell from a screenplay he co-wrote with Enrico Natale. Besides Pacino and Stevens, the film will also star Twilight’s Ashley Greene and Fate: The Winx Saga’s Abigail Cowen. It is produced by Natale, Andrew Stevens and Mitchell Welch. At the moment, XYZ Films is targeting a 2025 theatrical release for the film.
Prior to signing on to The Ritual, Pacino famously portrayed the villain in 1997’s supernatural horror The Devil’s Advocate with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron. As for Stevens, he has two movies currently playing in theaters, including the MonterVerse sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and the vampire movie Abigail. He will next be seen in another horror project later this year, a psychological thriller titled Cuckoo.
