Less than a monthafter it was reportedthatMike Flanaganwas in talks to helm the next film inThe Exorcistfranchise for Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, theDoctor Sleepdirectorhas officially signed on for the project in what is being billed as a “radical new take” on the series.The Exorcist: Believerdebuted in 2023 to a dismal reception, causing Blumhouse to rethink its strategy of releasing two more sequels in a planned trilogy. The film’s director, David Gordon Green, exited the project in January 2024, sending everything back to the drawing board.
As perDeadline, director Mike Flanagan has officially signed on the dotted line to take over for Green, andwill write, direct, and producewhat is being called a “radical new take” onThe Exorcist. In a statement released by Flanagan, he says he’s honored to have the chanceto try something “fresh,”while at the same time reuniting with his old pals at Blumhouse. Check out his comments below.
“The Exorcistis one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to havethe chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifyingwithin 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.”
The Exorcist: Believer
Flanagan’s past relationship with Blumhouseyielded three well-received horror films, includingOculus(2013),Hush(2016), andOuija: Origin of Evil(2016). The writer/director is perhaps best known for his Stephen King adaptations, which includeDoctor Sleep, as well as his offerings for Netflix, which include the highly acclaimed limited series’Midnight Mass,The Fall of the House of Usher, andThe Haunting of Hill House.
Blumhouse co-founder, Jason Blum, says he’s excitedto team up with Flanagan once more forThe Exorcist, and can’t wait for audiences to experience his “new take” on the franchise.
“Mike’s voice and vision are indispensable for horror fans andwe are excited to welcome him back to Blumhouse. I immediately responded to Mike’s new take on the world ofThe Exorcistand can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist Film Will Not Be a Sequel to The Exorcist: Believer
Debuting in theaters on July 23, 2025,The Exorcist: Believerwas setto kick off a new series of filmsà la the most recentHalloweentrilogy, but the movie was panned by audiences and critics alike,who were disappointedin the story of two young girls possessed by demons. Not even the appearance of franchise favorites Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair could save it from earning only a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
While it was thought that Blumhouse was stilllooking to continue the trilogythey started despite the exit of director David Gordon Green, such is not the case anymore, andThe Exorcist: Deceiverhas been officially scrapped. In addition to being billed as a “radical new take” onThe Exorcist, Mike Flanagan’s film is also reported to be“an all-new story set inThe Exorcistuniverse and is not a sequel to 2023’sThe Exorcist: Believer.”
Linda Blair Dishes On Her Cameo in The Exorcist: Believer: “They Kept Me Under Umbrellas”
Now that Linda Blair’s participation in The Exorcist: Believer has been revealed, the star talks her return to the franchise.
Whether Flanagan’s version makes mention of the events in the 2023 film remains to be seen, andit’s unknown at this point if Burstyn or Blairwill return to reprise their roles of Chris and Regan MacNeil respectively. The next film inThe Exorcistfranchise was set to hit theaters on June 09, 2025, but that date could change given recent events.
The Exorcist: Believeris available to stream onPrime Video.
