'Exorcist' director slams comic book adaptations

William Friedkin has hit out at the amount of comic book adaptations coming out of Hollywood.

The Exorcist director called for the development of original movies geared towards an adult audience, AFP reports.

Friedkin said: "It's harder and harder to do [original adult material] in this climate of American film... which is mostly concerned with movies that are comic books and remakes.

"The audiences have changed. They are conditioned by television and television is aimed at the lowest common denominator... their expectations are lower."

Friedkin, whose previous films include The French Connection and 12 Angry Men, is currently promoting his latest release Killer Joe, which stars Matthew McConaughey and Emile Hirsch.

Killer Joe screenwriter Tracy Letts echoed the helmer's sentiments on the current state of the American film industry.

"There's less money in the adult market [now]," she said. "The guys who run the show have figured out that they can make more money basically selling comic books to people."

Killer Joe was screened at both the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.