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While previous reports had indicated it would be the case, now it’s officially official; Mike Flanagan is directing a new take on The Exorcist. The news was confirmed by Blumhouse Productions and Morgan Creek in a press release, with Flanagan set to write, direct and produce a “radical” new entry in the franchise.
The press release states that this film will tell a new story set in The Exorcist universe, one that is explicitly not a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer. It was confirmed in January that film’s director David Gordon Green would not return, so this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The film will also be produced by Trevor Macy. Flanagan had this to say about it:
“The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within its universe. Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.”
Flanagan is one of the most respected horror directors working today, having directed films such as Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game. He’s also behind beloved shows such as Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher. So getting him to take on this next installment in the series is a big get. He previously worked with Blumhouse on Oculus, Hush and Ouija: Origin of Evil. Jason Blum, Founder and CEO of Blumhouse, had this to say:
“Mike’s voice and vision are indispensable for horror fans and we are excited to welcome him back to Blumhouse. I immediately responded to Mike’s new take on the world of The Exorcist and can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
While Blumhouse originally intended to make a sequel to Believer called The Exorcist: Deceiver, plans changed when the 2023 film was met with poor reviews and underperformed a bit at the box office, taking in $137 million worldwide. The bigger problem is that Universal Pictures made a $400 million deal with Morgan Creek to make an entire trilogy of Exorcist films. That being the case, the response to Green’s film wasn’t going to cut it. Hence, why Flanagan is taking things in a new direction.
“It’s an honor to be working with Mike,” said David Robinson, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Creek. “I think his vision for this franchise is going to stun audiences worldwide, and I could not be more excited to be working with him, Trevor, Jason and the entire Blumhouse Team.”
The new Exorcist movie does not currently have a release date but stay tuned. For more, be sure to check out our list of demonic possession movies that aren’t The Exorcist.
