Summary

• Mike Flanagan, known for hit horror shows and films, may be directing the next Exorcist film.
• Blumhouse and Universal hope Flanagan can save the franchise after a recent critical flop.
• The Exorcist: Deceiver release has been delayed after the previous director's departure.

News came on May 1, 2024, that Mike Flanagan was joining the production of the indie horror film Shelby Oaks as an executive producer, and now word has come that he is also in talks to direct the next Exorcist film for Blumhouse and Universal. Flanagan is the writer/director behind the Stephen King adaptations of Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, as well as the creator behind the Netflix hits The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and The Fall of the House of Usher. He helmed the limited series masterpiece, Midnight Mass, and his current film, The Life of Chuck, (another Stephen King adaptation), wrapped filming in November 2023, and is currently in post-production.

As of now, Blumhouse and Universal have declined to comment, but as per Deadline, if Flanagan were to take over The Exorcist franchise, it would see him replace director David Gordon Green, who exited the project back in January after The Exorcist: Believer was universally panned by critics. The follow-up film, The Exorcist: Deceiver, was originally planned for April 18, 2025, but was pushed back to an undisclosed date after Green’s departure.

Universal and Blumhouse paid a hefty price for The Exorcist rights back in 2021, purchasing them for $400 million from Morgan Creek. The price included things like streaming rights and possible theme park attractions, and at the time it was believed that there would be three films made by Green, similar to the recent Halloween trilogy he directed. However, things didn't go as planned, and The Exorcist: Believer failed to meet expectations, earning just $137 million at the box office. The film currently holds a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was deemed a critical failure by many.

Mike Flanagan Could Help Get The Exorcist Franchise Back on Track

Mike Flanagan is lauded in the horror fandom for his attention to detail and storytelling prowess. Should his involvement in the next Exorcist film come to fruition and he does direct the project, it's possible that the writer/director could help Blumhouse get back on track with the franchise (and perhaps in general, after the poor critical response to Night Swim and Imaginary). Flanagan's films are well regarded among genre fans, and aside from his Stephen King and classic literary adaptations, he's also found success with the critical hits Absentia (2011), Oculus (2013), Hush (2016), and Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016).

As of right now, Blumhouse founder, Jason Blum, has "no idea" what the next Exorcist film is going to be yet. Speaking with The Direct back in March 2024, he did confirm that there will definitely be another movie in the series. Check out his full comments below.

We are definitely going to make another Exorcist movie, but I wanted more time to figure out what it would be. I have no idea what it's going to be yet.

With Mike Flanagan now entering the picture, there's a fresh glimmer of hope for horror fans that the first collaboration between the two will prove successful. In the meantime, audiences can look forward to The Life of Chuck, which stars Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Karen Gillan.

The Exorcist: Believer is available to stream on Prime Video.