Exorcist sequel loses its director and 2025 release date, months after Believer's box office disappointment

The Exorcist: Believer
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

The Exorcist: Deceiver was all set to hit cinemas next year but, now, those plans have seemingly changed.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, David Gordon Green – who helmed The Exorcist: Believer – won’t return for the project. It is now undated, having previously been penciled in for an April 18, 2025 release date.

Reasons haven’t been given for Green’s departure, though The Exorcist: Believer wasn’t the revival that fans of the horror franchise would have hoped for.

It’s currently sitting at 22% on Rotten Tomatoes with critics and, while a $137 million box office return isn’t a complete disaster, it did little to recoup the $400 million Universal reportedly spent to snap up the rights to the series.

The Exorcist: Believer ending saw Ellen Burstyn’s Chris MacNeil and Linda Blair’s Regan reunite on-screen for the first time in 50 years.

Speaking to 12DOVE last year about the surprise moment, David Gordon Green said, "She hadn't seen Ellen in many, many years. I wanted to film that reunion. So, we blindfolded Ellen and, on a note, we invited Linda in. And so that was one take and it was magic." 

The director added, "Half the crew [cried]. I remember looking around and the boom operator who didn't know what was gonna happen or our focus puller was just jaw-on-the-floor because very few of us knew what we coordinated for that moment. It was amazing."

For more, check out the best horror movies of all time (spoilers: The Exorcist makes the list), plus the latest on the new horror movies coming your way very soon.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.