Mike Flanagan in talks to direct next The Exorcist film for Blumhouse

Exorcist
(Image credit: Universal)

The Haunting of Hill House creator Mike Flanagan may be the man to save Blumhouse’s The Exorcist trilogy, as the renowned horror filmmaker is reportedly in talks to direct the next movie. 

Although Universal Pictures and Blumhouse are yet to comment, Deadline reports that if the deal is made, Flanagan will take over from director David Gordon Green who helmed The Exorcist: Believer.

Best known for his Netflix horror shows such as The Haunting of Bly Manor and The Fall of the House of Usher, Flanagan may be the trilogy’s new saving grace, and fans seem to agree. "Mike Flanagan is the perfect choice for The Exorcist! He's going to save this franchise," said one fan on Twitter, another added, "Thank goodness."

Starring Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr. and the original The Exorcist’s Ellen Burstyn, Believer hit screens back in 2023 launching Blumhouse’s new The Exorcist trilogy, with two more films titled The Exorcist: Deciever and a third untitled film set to follow. 

But Believer sank at the box office stirring up $136.2 million in total worldwide, which is pretty low compared to the $429 million the original made back in 1973. It wasn't a hit with critics either as the film now sits with a measly 22% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Our reviewer called it a "hoary and overcooked valentine to a horror classic." Green then bowed out to pursue another project and Believer’s sequel, The Exorcist: Deceiver, was pushed back from its April 18, 2025 release date. 

It is unclear whether the next movie in Blumhouse’s trilogy will still be titled The Exorcist: The Deceiver, or if it will undergo a full rebrand. The movie does not yet have a synopsis, cast list, or release date at this time. 

For more, check out our list of the best horror movies, or keep up to date with upcoming horror movies heading your way in 2024. 

Editorial Associate, 12DOVE

I am an Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, covering TV and film for SFX and Total Film online. I have a Bachelors Degree in Media Production and Journalism and a Masters in Fashion Journalism from UAL. In the past I have written for local UK and US newspaper outlets such as the Portland Tribune and York Mix and worked in communications, before focusing on film and entertainment writing. I am a HUGE horror fan and in 2022 I created my very own single issue feminist horror magazine.  

Read more
Fede Alvarez at the UK Alien: Romulus premiere
Alien: Romulus and Evil Dead helmer says he wants to take on "a good old slasher" movie next
Sinners
The most exciting upcoming horror movies coming in 2025 and beyond
Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in The Black Phone
The Black Phone 2 director reveals the one "main difference" between the original horror movie and its upcoming "more graphic" sequel
David Bowie in Labyrinth 1986
Nosferatu director Robert Eggers is making a sequel to one of my favorite childhood movies Labyrinth – and I have the perfect nightmarish storyline in mind
Audition movie 1999
The goriest Japanese horror movie I’ve ever seen is getting a modern remake from original Speak No Evil director
Nicolas Cage as Longlegs in Longlegs/Osgood Perkins and Nicolas Cage standing side-by-side at a Longlegs event
Longlegs director has shared his dream project outside of horror, and now we're hoping it happens
Latest in Horror Movies
Indy in Ben Leonberg's haunted house horror Good Boy
Good Boy, a new scary movie told from a dog's POV, is being called "one of the best horror films of the year"
Cujo
Netflix is making a brand new adaptation of Cujo, the infamous Stephen King book about a killer dog
Drop
New horror movie starring White Lotus and Yellowstone actors gets a great Rotten Tomatoes score as early reactions call it the "perfect date night movie"
Clown in a Cornfield
First reactions to new clown horror movie say the slasher is giving Terrifier a run for its money
The House of the Dead first look 'Test Subjects'
Resident Evil director offers update on his horror movie adaptation of Until Dawn-sounding video game from over 20 years ago: "It's going to be very, very scary"
Emily Blunt in A Quiet Place Part 2
A Quiet Place 3 is finally happening, but it'll be a while because John Krasinski is so busy: "It's hard to get him"
Latest in News
Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth
Jurassic World Rebirth studio asked Scarlett Johansson to join Instagram, but she refused: "The film will do fine"
Deltarune
Undertale creator Toby Fox's tomfoolery leaves Deltarune testers thinking an intentional nerf was actually a bug after they "independently" discovered it
Pokemon Go player trying to catch a Croagunk
Pokemon Go developer Niantic has been bought for $3.5 billion, CEO says it'll help its games be "'forever games' that will endure for future generations"
A Minecraft Movie
Minecraft movie's popcorn bucket is an explosive, game-accurate continuation of a cinema trend that shows no signs of slowing down
The Running Man
The Running Man reboot is bringing back key aspects of Stephen King's novel to turn it into "the deadliest game of hide and seek"
Balatro Joker card
After stepping away from Balatro for 3 months, the developer only resumed work "because I was bored but the internet was out so I couldn't play Rocket League"