Last year, “The Exorcist: Believer” directed by David Gordon Green (“Halloween Ends”) opened to pretty negative critical response. Not long after, Green left the planned reboot trilogy he signed on to do with Blumhouse. It has now been confirmed that Mike Flanagan (“The Fall of the House of Usher”) will write, direct, and produce the next installment of the iconic horror franchise.
Flanagan‘s Take on “The Exorcist“
Blumhouse describes Flanagan’s film as a “radical new take” on the franchise. It will NOT be a sequel to “Believer,” but it will take place in the same universe. Our guess is they will do something akin to the “Evil Dead” franchise. Where the story shifts focus to an evil entity hopping from place to place and away from one main character like Ash Williams.
“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,” Flanagan said. “Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.”
The upcoming “The Exorcist” film is part of a $400 million deal between Universal and Blumhouse for Green to direct a new trilogy. But after “Believer” only pulled in $137 million on a budget of $30 million, it killed any plans for his proposed follow-up films. It seems that Flanagan is only committed to one film at this time.
Flanagan will produce the new “The Exorcist” film via his new Red Room Pictures banner. Alongside Trevor Macy for Intrepid Pictures.
“Mike’s voice and vision are indispensable for horror fans, and we are excited to welcome him back to Blumhouse,” Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse, said. “I immediately responded to Mike’s new take on the world of The Exorcist and can’t wait for audiences to experience it,”
“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,” David Robinson, chairman and CEO of Morgan Creek, who owns the rights to “The Exorcist,” added.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about Flanagan’s “The Exorcist” film as they become available.
