Face it, since 1972, The Exorcist has not had a watchable sequel. There are some who like George C. Scott’s 1990’s Exorcist III, but overall the four sequels (including two prequels) and Blumhouse reboot have stunk up the yard like a family of skunks. Or a foul-smelling creature from Hell. Take your pick.
Now Blumhouse has officially announced that Mike Flanagan, known for his work on The Fall of the House of Usher, Doctor Sleep, Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House will write, direct, and produce a “radical new take” on The Exorcist. This new film, produced in collaboration with Morgan Creek, aims to revitalize the iconic horror franchise.
This news first broke via The InSneider, which reported Flanagan’s talks for the next Exorcist film.
Flanagan’s involvement comes after the disappointing performance of The Exorcist: Believer, which grossed $65.5 million domestically and $136.2 million worldwide. This follows NBCUniversal, Peacock, and Blumhouse’s acquisition of the rights from Morgan Creek for $400 million in July 2021. David Gordon Green, who directed The Exorcist: Believer, will not return for the next installment.
The upcoming film is described as “an all-new story set in The Exorcist universe and is not a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer.” Trevor Macy will produce the film on behalf of Intrepid Pictures, with Flanagan also producing through his new Red Room Pictures banner. John Scherer will assist in the production for Intrepid.
This project marks the fourth collaboration between Flanagan and Blumhouse, following Oculus (2013), Hush (2016), and Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016). All these films were produced by Macy, with Ouija: Origin of Evil recently featured in Blumhouse’s Halfway to Halloween AMC Film Series.
Flanagan expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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.”
Jason Blum, CEO of Blumhouse, praised Flanagan, saying, “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.”
REELated:
David Robinson, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Creek, added, “It’s an honor to be working with Mike. 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.”
Flanagan, Macy, and their respective companies, Intrepid and Red Room, are represented by WME, with VanderKloot Law representing Flanagan and Reder & Feig handling Macy.
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
