Mike Flanagan To Write & Direct ‘New Take’ On Exorcist Franchise

Mike Flanagan is officially set to write and direct a “new take” on the Exorcist franchise. Deadline reports that Blumhouse has confirmed a previous report that Flanagan — known for films like Doctor Sleep and shows like The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher and more — is set to write and direct the next film, which will be an “an all-new story set in The Exorcist universe” and not a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer.

The move comes after Exorcist: Believer left Universal and Blumhouse’s hopes for a new trilogy of films in question. While it grossed $136.2 million worldwide against a $30 million budget, Universal paid $400 million for the rights to make the new trilogy. The negative reaction and less-than-expected receipts for the film, as well as David Gordon Green leaving the project due to scheduling issues, led to the change in direction.

Plot details on Flanagan’s take isn’t yet known. The writer-director said in a statement, “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.”

It is believed that this new direction closes the door on the original trilogy plans.