Blumhouse ditches Exorcist trilogy in favor of 'radical new take' from Mike Flanagan

We previously reported that horror master Mike Flanagan was in talks to direct a new chapter in Blumhouse's rebooted The Exorcist trilogy, but now we have even better news.

The Hollywood Reporter shares that Flanagan will not only direct but also write and produce an Exorcist movie. It won't be a sequel to last year's The Exorcist: Believer, which was widely panned and disliked by just about everyone. Flanagan is collaborating with Blumhouse for the third time, having previously worked with the production company on Oculus, Hush, and Ouija: Origin of Evil.

Flanagan stepping up to the plate in such a drastic new way for this IP is a big deal, as Universal shelled out over $400 million to create a trilogy of The Exorcist films to be helmed by Halloween filmmaker David Gordon Green.

The Exorcist: Believer did okay at the box office, earning $137 million, but only a 21% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it didn't hit with audiences either. Since then, we haven't heard much from Universal about their plans for the trilogy, as it seemed they'd shelved the idea for now while deciding what to do with the IP. Now, it looks like we have our answer.

The creator of acclaimed horror projects like The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep, and Hush, Flanagan is well respected by critics and fans alike.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Flanagan released a statement about the news, noting that the original Exorcist is one of the reasons he started making movies in the first place.

"The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold and terrifying within its universe. Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting."

Trevor Macy will produce under the Intrepid Pictures banner, and Flanagan will produce through his own production company, Red Room Pictures.

Stay tuned to 1428 Elm as we provide additional details and information on Mike Flanagan's Exorcist movie! Follow our Facebook page and Twitter account for all things horror.