The Exorcist franchise shifts again with director Mike Flanagan coming aboard for a ‘radical new take’ on the horror films

Universal Pictures is deviating from last year’s The Exorcist: Believer and bringing in filmmaker Mike Flanagan to take the helm for a new film.

The studio announced in July 2021 that they had spent a whopping $400 million on a new Exorcist trilogy, which would see Ellen Burstyn return as Chris MacNeil, the mother of the possessed 12-year-old Regan (Linda Blair) from the original 1973 classic .

The first film that would spawn the trilogy was 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, which was a modest hit, earning $65.5 million domestically and $136.2 million worldwide on a reported budget of $30 million.

The Exorcist: Believer director David Gordon Green is expected to return at the helm with co-writers Danny McBride, Peter Sattler and Scott Teems.

Now the studio is going in a completely different direction with Flanagan’s new film THR According to reports, there will be ‘a radical new take’ on the franchise.

The studio announced in July 2021 that they had spent a whopping $400 million on a new Exorcist trilogy, which would see Ellen Burstyn return as Chris MacNeil, the mother of the possessed 12-year-old Regan (Linda Blair) from the original 1973 classic .

Now the studio is going in a completely different direction with Flanagan’s new film, which THR says will be “a radical new take” on the franchise.

The story will take place in the Exorcist universe in which The Exorcist: Believer is set, but it won’t be a direct sequel to that film.

While Gordon Green and his writers were reportedly in development for the sequels, poor reception – critically (22% on Rotten Tomatoes) and commercially – led the studio to reconsider their plans.

Flanagan is quite revered in the horror landscape, with his work being well received on both the big and small screens.

He directed indie hits like Oculus, Hush and Before I Wake, plus the well-received Ouija: Origins of Evil and the Stephen King adaptations Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, a sequel to The Shining.

He has focused on the small screen in recent years, creating the beloved Netflix shows The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, Midnight Club and most recently The Fall of the House of Usher.

“The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it’s an honor to have the opportunity to try something new, daring and terrifying in the universe,” Flanagan said in a statement.

“Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I created some of my favorite pieces, only makes this even more exciting,” he added.

Flanagan previously worked with producer Jason Blum’s company on Oculus, Hush and Ouija: Origins of Evil.

The story will take place in the Exorcist universe in which The Exorcist: Believer is set, but it won’t be a direct sequel to that film.

Flanagan is quite revered in the horror landscape and his work has been well received on both the big and small screens

“The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it’s an honor to have the opportunity to try something new, daring and terrifying in the universe,” Flanagan said in a statement.

Flanagan will also produce through his Red Room Pictures, with Trevor Macy and John Scherer of Intrepid Pictures

Flanagan will also produce through his Red Room Pictures, with Trevor Macy and John Scherer of Intrepid Pictures.

“Mike’s voice and vision are indispensable to horror fans, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to Blumhouse,” Jason Blum said in a statement.

“I immediately responded to Mike’s new take on the world of The Exorcist and can’t wait for audiences to experience it,” Blum added.

David Robinson, chairman and CEO of Morgan Creek, which owns the rights to The Exorcist, added: “It’s an honor to work with Mike. I think his vision for this franchise will wow audiences around the world, and I couldn’t be more excited to work with him, Trevor, Jason and the entire Blumhouse team.”