Lankester Merrin

Lankester Merrin is a fictional member of the clergy, and exorcist and a central character featured in the Exorcist film series. Originally played by actor Max von Sydow, he first appeared in the 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist. He also appeared in flashback in the film's sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic. In the prequel film, Exorcist: The Beginning, the role of Father Merrin was played by Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård.