Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House filmmaker Mike Flanagan is officially set to write, direct, and produce “a radical new take” on The Exorcist.
A few weeks ago it was reported that Flanagan was in talks to direct the film, but it won’t be a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer. Instead, it will be “an all-new story set in The Exorcist universe.”
According to the report, this next movie is about “demon-possessed people and the Jesuit priests that wrangle them.”
Flanagan 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.”
Blumhouse Boss Jason Blum added: “Mike’s voice and vision are indispensable for horror fans and we are excited to welcome him back to Blumhouse. I immediately responded to Mike’s new take on the world of The Exorcist and can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
David Robinson, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Creek said: “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.”
If anyone can properly breathe new life in The Exorcist franchise, it’s Flanagan. This guy is one of the best storytellers and filmmakers working in Hollywood right now, and the fact that he’s involved with this next Exorcist movie is exciting.
I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with for this next movie, and I’m happy it’s not going to be a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer.