In 1978 , Blatty adapted his novel '' Twinkle , Twinkle , " Killer " Kane '' into a film titled '' The Ninth Configuration '' , and in 1980 he wrote , directed , and produced a film version , which focused on the question of the existence of God . The film was a commercial flop despite critical acclaim . Movie critic Jerry Stein called it a " masterpiece " in '' The Cincinnati Post , '' and Peter Travers described it as " the finest large-scale American surrealist film ever made " in '' People '' magazine . At the 38th Golden Globe Awards in 1981 it was nominated for three Golden Globes , and won the Best Writing Award against competition that included '' The Elephant Man '' ( 1980 ) , '' Ordinary People '' ( 1980 ) , and '' Raging Bull '' ( 1980 ) . In 1983 , Blatty wrote '' Legion '' , a sequel to '' The Exorcist '' which later became the basis of the film '' The Exorcist III '' . At first he was unable to set up the production because he wanted to direct the film . Blatty 's agent , Steve Jaffe , helped package the project with producer Carter DeHaven at Morgan Creek Productions . Blatty directed the film . He originally wanted the movie version to be titled '' Legion '' , but the film 's producers wanted it to be more closely linked to the original . The first sequel , '' Exorcist II : The Heretic '' ( 1977 ) , was disappointing both critically and commercially . Blatty had no involvement with it and his own follow-up ignored it entirely
38th Golden Globe Awards
38th Golden Globe Awards
William Peter Blatty