The Exorcist: Believer Director Addresses Plans for Scrapped Sequels

As a long-time fan of both the original Exorcist and the Halloween franchise, I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia mixed with anticipation as we approach the release of the new Exorcist movie. David Gordon Green’s ambitious plans for his trilogy sounded enticing, and I was looking forward to seeing how he would breathe fresh life into this iconic horror series.

David Gordon Green’s series of Halloween movies received a mix of positive and negative responses from viewers, leaving some cautiously hopeful about his future The Exorcist trilogy. However, the underwhelming critical and commercial reception of The Exorcist: Believer led to the cancellation of his plans for two additional films. Green has since shared some aspects he intended to delve into with these dropped storylines, calling them “ambitious” and “complex.” He also mentioned that the pressure was different when working on The Exorcist compared to his work on the Halloween movies. Now, Mike Flanagan is taking over as director for the upcoming Exorcist, slated for release on March 13, 2026

When IndieWire inquired about his upcoming films, Green confessed, “Well, that’s a detailed response. It’s intricate and prolonged. The answer is lengthy and intricate. We had our next film scripted, and we were planning the third one as well. As always, it was an ambitious project with many complexities. Our plan was to travel to Europe for some breathtaking landscapes that would serve as our backdrops.”

According to Green, it was planned that the story would focus on the character played by Ann Dowd

In a tale that unfolded, a duo of young students ventured into the forest post-school hours and, following an absence spanning several days, returned with scant memories of their ordeal, leaving viewers to observe as the girls seemed to have fallen prey to malevolent spirits. Dowd assumed the role of the neighboring resident of one of the affected families

As a creative enthusiast, I yearn for the liberty to express my ideas without being confined by budgetary restrictions, while still maintaining control over my work. I’ve discovered that unbounded expectations can be overwhelming, so it’s essential to balance creativity with practicality. This is what I’m striving for in my professional ambition

When Green joined the Halloween series, it already had close to a dozen installments, causing both fans and investors to be eager for fresh ideas since the risk and budget were relatively lower. Similarly, given that The Exorcist, originally one of the most terrifying films ever made, has only spawned a few sequels throughout the years, there was increased scrutiny on what Green was planning with his film Believer

The filmmaker explained that the topic at hand can be quite complex and confusing, admitting that he isn’t fully versed with all its intricacies. He shared that he prefers a clear framework to work within, allowing him creative freedom. When too many suggestions and opinions come his way regarding ideas, thoughts, or notes, he finds it challenging to thrive in such situations. His goal is simply to ensure everyone’s needs are met

He went on to say, “I’ve developed fantastic relationships with numerous executives at Universal, Blumhouse, and Morgan Creek. My aim is to ensure they are comfortable and successful, whether that means maximizing profits or fulfilling their personal goals. For me, the key is creative freedom. I’m always on the lookout for opportunities where I can exercise that freedom, as well as find moments of spontaneity. I enjoy reinventing myself.”

The new The Exorcist is set to hit theaters on March 13, 2026.

In your opinion, what are the filmmaker’s comments about? Reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh on either Twitter or Instagram for a chat about everything related to Star Wars and horror!

2024-09-06 02:15

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