LOS ANGELES: William Peter Blatty, the author of the novel The Exorcist and writer of its Oscar-winning big-screen adaptation, has died aged 89, the director of the iconic horror movie announced Friday. "William Peter Blatty, dear friend and brother who created The Exorcist passed away yesterday," he said, prompting a torrent of tributes from the horror-writing community. "RIP William Peter Blatty, who wrote the great horror novel of our time. Although best-known for The Exorcist, Blatty specialized in comedy, penning Promise Her Anything (1965), which starred Warren Beatty, What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? "Rest in peace William Peter Blatty, writer of both the peerless horror The Exorcist AND the funniest Clouseau film, A Shot In The Dark," added Edgar Wright, the British director of hit zom-com Shaun of the Dead.

Source: New Strait Times January 14, 2017 04:10 UTC