The reboot of The Exorcist franchise stumbled right out of the gate with the disappointing box office performance of its first installment in 2023, which only managed to pull in $26.4 million domestically. Director David Gordon Green’s departure from the project further complicated matters, leaving the next film’s release hanging in limbo. However, there’s hope on the horizon as talks swirl around acclaimed horror maestro Mike Flanagan stepping in to helm the reboot.
With a string of successful projects under his belt, including The Fall of the House of Usher, The Midnight Club, and The Haunting of Hill House, Flanagan has solidified his status as one of the hottest directors in the horror genre today. Blumhouse and Universal Pictures are banking on his talent to breathe new life into The Exorcist franchise and deliver the success that has so far eluded it.
The disappointing performance of The Exorcist: Believer, despite its hefty $400 million budget, has prompted a reevaluation of the franchise’s direction. With Flanagan potentially taking the reins of the next installment, titled The Exorcist: Deceiver, hopes are high for a resurgence in the series’ fortunes.
Green’s departure from The Exorcist project has led to delays in its production timeline, with the original release date now occupied by another film. Meanwhile, Green has shifted his focus to other projects, including Nutcrackers and The Righteous Gemstones.
Flanagan’s transition from horror to alternative genres, as evidenced by his upcoming drama/sci-fi/fantasy film The Life of Chuck, demonstrates his versatility as a filmmaker. However, his roots in horror, showcased in acclaimed works like Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House, make him a natural fit for The Exorcist reboot.
As discussions continue between Flanagan, Blumhouse, and Universal Pictures, anticipation builds for his potential involvement in revitalizing The Exorcist franchise. Meanwhile, audiences can look forward to another exorcism-themed film, The Exorcism, directed by Joshua John Miller and starring Russell Crowe, set to hit theaters in June 2024.
