Universal and Blumhouse Productions have officially announced that Horror Maestro Mike Flanagan‘s reimagined The Exorcist will arrive in theaters on March 13, 2026. This announcement comes amidst significant anticipation and curiosity surrounding the new film, promising a fresh take on the classic horror story.
Handing Over the Franchise
Following the mixed reception of last year’s The Exorcist: Believer directed by David Gordon Green, Blumhouse and Morgan Creek decided to pass the baton to Flanagan. Known for his work on The Haunting of Hill House, Gerald’s Game, and Doctor Sleep, Flanagan brings a unique vision to the table, aiming to chart a completely new course for the franchise. Notably, this new narrative isn’t a sequel to any previous Exorcist films, allowing for fresh storytelling possibilities.
A New Narrative Nightmare
According to those involved in the project, the upcoming film will feature elements that fans of Flanagan’s earlier works have come to expect: intricate plotting, layered characterization, and atmospheric horror. As Carla Gugino notes, It’s batshit crazy in the best possible way. It has quite a lot of very dark humor but also really touches the soul. There is a fantastical supernatural element to the story, and she is the manifestation of that. You could say she’s the executor of fate or the executor of karma.
A Look Back at Historical Inspiration
When William Peter Blatty’s book-based original The Exorcist was released in 1973, it made an indelible mark on pop culture and became the first horror film ever nominated for Best Picture. The upcoming movie aims to honor this legacy while creating something distinctively new under Flanagan’s direction.
A Collaborative Production Effort
This project will be produced by Flanagan’s longtime collaborative producer Trevor Macy, who has worked with him on projects like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. The production team will also include Jason Blum, known for his work on successful horror projects like M3GAN and Five Nights at Freddy’s.
Adding an interesting layer to this new venture is Linda Blair’s involvement as a consultant on set. Known for her iconic role as Regan in the original film, Blair provides valuable insights and ensures young actors are well taken care of. She mentioned in an interview, I went on record saying don’t ever do it to a child again, do not do this… I had a religious specialist there just to talk about things if they needed, psychiatrists in case they needed anything.
A Peek into Shooting Locations
Shooting took place in various iconic locations which fans might find familiar. For instance, exterior scenes were shot at Bisham Manor in LaGrange, Georgia, adding to the eerie setting Flanagan is known for crafting meticulously.
An Exciting Journey Ahead
With Mike Flanagan at the helm of this ambitious project, both long-time fans of The Exorcist series and new viewers have much to look forward to. Whether it will achieve the acclaim of its predecessors remains to be seen, but this fresh take promises a gripping journey into darkness come March 13, 2026.
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