After the disappointing box office results of The Exorcist: Believer in 2023, the future of the franchise seemed uncertain. However, recent reports indicate that Blumhouse and Universal are looking to get the series back on track by bringing in acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan to direct the next installment, tentatively titled The Exorcist: Deceiver.
Flanagan, known for his atmospheric and deft horror films and series such as The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, could be the perfect choice to revitalize the Exorcist franchise. The previous film, The Exorcist: Believer, fell well short of the original's box office success, earning only $137 million globally compared to the original's $440 million (when adjusted for inflation).
With Flanagan's involvement, the next Exorcist movie could take the franchise in a new direction, potentially rebooting the series entirely. Producer Jason Blum has hinted at the possibility of a reboot following the lackluster performance of Believer.
The upcoming film is expected to follow a similar premise to the previous entry, with a father seeking out Chris MacNeil (played by Ellen Burstyn in the original) after his daughter and her friend mysteriously disappear and reappear with no memory of the events. This could potentially set the stage for the return of legacy character Regan MacNeil, played by Linda Blair in the original Exorcist.
While details on the plot and release date for Flanagan's potential Exorcist movie remain scarce, fans of the director and the franchise are likely eager to see how he could breathe new life into the iconic horror series.
How could Mike Flanagan's involvement revitalize the Exorcist franchise after the disappointing performance of the previous film?
