Linda Blair Says Returning for “Exorcist: Believer” Cameo Was 'Really Incredible' but 'Bizarre' (Exclusive)

The actress reprises her role of Regan MacNeil in the 2023 film

Linda Blair is speaking candidly about reprising her iconic The Exorcist role 50 years later.

While chatting with PEOPLE about her non-profit organization The Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, the actress, 64, also opens up about revisiting her role of Regan MacNeil in
The Exorcist: Believer. (She last played the part in 1977's Exorcist II: The Heretic.)

When asked what it was like getting to embody Regan again after five decades, Blair admits that it was "bizarre."

"That's the honest answer," she continues. "[But it was] really incredible."

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Related: Inside Linda Blair's Shocking Exorcist Return: 'Nobody Had Any Idea What Was About to Happen' (Exclusive)

In 1973's The Exorcist, Blair starred as Regan, a 12-year-old girl, who is possessed by an ancient demon after playing with a Ouija board, opposite Ellen Burstyn, who portrayed her mother, Chris MacNeil.

The project was a critical and commercial success, earning $441 million at the worldwide box office. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and became the first horror film to ever be Oscar-nominated for Best Picture.

Exorcist: Believer sees the return of Chris as she agrees to help a single father (Leslie Odom Jr.) when his daughter and her best friend become possessed.

In the film, it is revealed that Chris and Regan have a strained relationship and haven't spoken in years, but after a horrific incident involving Chris, Regan comes to her mother's hospital bedside during one of the film's final scenes.

According to Blair, those working behind the scenes on the latest Exorcist film kept in touch with her amid the process of crafting the project.

"When they started working on Believer a couple of years ago, I was aware of it, and they all knew I wanted nothing to do with it," she explains. "They created their production, and when they came to me and said, 'We are doing this and we just want your blessing,' I was like, 'Of course.' "

Noting that fans "got really upset" when it was announced that Burstyn, 91, would be reprising her role and she would not, Blair says she was too busy working with her animal foundation to devote time to the movie.

But, when filmmakers approached her about joining the project as an advisor to the film's two young actresses, Blair obliged. "I wanted to make sure they were okay," she says.

Eventually, Blair's BTS role transitioned into one in front of the camera, and the star was tapped for her cameo, which Believer director David Gordon Green previously told PEOPLE was "a beautiful moment."

"We got to go and play and bring a smile to everybody's face," Blair says. "And I think that's really important."

She also admits that a large part of why she ended up reprising her role was so she could eventually promote her nonprofit and bring awareness to animals in need.

"I'm hoping that people understand I did the film to get the ability to talk and to ask for help, for those that need help," Blair says.

Related: Yes, The Exorcist: Believer Is Based on Real-Life Possession Stories: Expert (Exclusive)

And while two sequels are already planned for the future, Blair says she has no clue if Regan will be involved in them.

"In all honesty, I know nothing," she candidly admits. "... I don't know what they're doing."

Green, 75, echoed similar sentiments while chatting with PEOPLE earlier this year, noting, "I've got a roadmap of infinite ideas of things that I'd like to do."

The Exorcist: Believer is available to stream and purchase now.

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