Mike Flanagan tapped to write and direct a 'Radical New Take’ on The Exorcist

Blumhouse confirmed Mike Flanagan's involvement who is set to write, produce, and direct the movie himself. The Flanagan-directed film will not be a sequel to the 'The Exorcist: Believer.'

Akshay Hebbalad

May 30, 2024 / 13:42 IST

Flanagan's film will be an entirely new story. (Images via X)

The horror maestro, Mike Flanagan is bringing a completely new “radical” take on The Exorcist in a new film that will be written, directed and produced by him.

Flanagan, known for his work on “Doctor Sleep” (2019), “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018), and “The Fall of the House of Usher” (2023), is developing an as-yet-untitled project with Blumhouse. This collaboration is being described as a “radical new take” on the series. His involvement comes on the heels of speculation earlier this month about his potential addition to the franchise.

This development follows the underwhelming performance of The Exorcist: Believer, which grossed $65.5 million in the U.S. and Canada and $136.2 million worldwide. NBCUniversal, Peacock, and Blumhouse had acquired the rights from Morgan Creek for $400 million in July 2021. David Gordon Green, who directed Believer, has stepped away from the next installment.

Importantly, Flanagan's film will be an entirely new story and not a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, directed by Green. Green originally planned a trilogy of Exorcist films, with the next entry, The Exorcist: Deceiver, set for a 2025 release. However, after Believer's global earnings of $137 million and mixed critical reception, he exited the franchise in January.

“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.,” said Flanagan. He previously collaborated with Blumhouse as a writer and director on “Oculus” (2013), “Hush” (2016), and “Ouija: Origin of Evil” (2016).