LOS ANGELES, April 4 (Reuters) - For "The First Omen"

director Arkasha Stevenson, it was imperative to create a

fearsome film focused on female body horror, including graphic

birthing scenes.

"It was really important to us to not shy away from the

imagery of the female body," Stevenson told Reuters, ahead of

the film's premiere in theaters on Friday.

Her vision almost did not materialize, however, when a

birthing scene showing a woman's vagina was almost taken out.

The graphic scene is what turned the film's rating from

NC-17 to R due to the body imagery.

It was vital to Stevenson to keep the scene and the R-rating

for a chance to boldly depict a woman's body.

"The shot really encapsulated the themes of the film for us,

and we felt that without this image, the film would be a lesser

version of itself," she added.

The "Legion" director finds that body horror helps her

reconnect with her body and serves as a reminder that every

person's body is their own, especially for women often taught to

disassociate with their own physical forms.

20th Century Studios' "The First Omen" follows Margaret, an

American woman training to become a nun at a church in Rome who

discovers a dark secret that catalyzes the birth of the

antichrist.

The film serves as a prequel to the 1976 horror cult-classic

"The Omen" and is the sixth film in the franchise, including

three sequels that explore the devilish antichrist child named

Damien.

Exploring femininity and grotesque imagery was also

something that Nell Tiger Free, who portrays Margaret, embraced.

"Having female-led horror is a wonderful thing to see, and

we're seeing more of it now, which is great," she told Reuters

adding that having a female director and a female protagonist

was a "nice combination work-wise."

Free felt like she and Stevenson, who both grew up watching

"The Omen" films, were in sync from the get-go when they began

working on the prequel film.

"I trusted her straightaway," the "Game of Thrones" actor

said.

Joining the franchise that both she and Stevenson admire

helped Free immerse herself not only in the role of Margaret,

but also "The Omen" storyline.

"It felt like a big honor to be part of the lore now, part

of the legend," she said.