Mike Flanagan, widely recognized for his work on several Stephen King adaptations, is set to spearhead a fresh reboot of The Exorcist, with early discussions underway to involve Rebecca Ferguson, a standout talent from Dune and Doctor Sleep. The news comes after Blumhouse’s decision to pass the torch from David Gordon Green, signaling a new creative direction for the famous horror franchise, fueling fresh interest in Stephen King adaptations news among fans.
Flanagan Chosen to Reinvent a Horror Classic
Following a mixed reception for The Exorcist: Believer, Blumhouse opted to end its collaboration with David Gordon Green and instead brought in Mike Flanagan, known for his acclaimed work on the Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House, and feature films like Gerald’s Game and Ouija: Origin of Evil. Flanagan, who has demonstrated a unique approach to horror and suspense, has indicated that he aims to bring a new level of fear to the franchise.
The reboot is still in the early stages of development. Flanagan recently revealed that he’s already approached Rebecca Ferguson about a possible role in the untitled project. Ferguson previously collaborated with Flanagan when she played the villainous Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep, a notable Stephen King adaptation.
Inside Flanagan’s Casting Conversations
The confirmation of ongoing talks between Flanagan and Ferguson emerged during a panel at Motor City Comic Con, where Flanagan appeared alongside his longtime collaborator and partner, Kate Siegel. Responding to questions about his new Exorcist venture, Flanagan acknowledged reaching out to Ferguson soon after the announcement. He spoke of her busy schedule, humorously referencing her ongoing roles in major productions.
“[She’s been busy with a] little indie project called Dune, and she’s on Season 3 of Silo right now. She still finds the time to do, like, one of the biggest movies on Netflix right now.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director
Despite Ferguson’s packed agenda with projects like Dune, Silo, and A House of Dynamite, Flanagan emphasized their regular communication and mutual interest in collaborating again on his Exorcist reboot.
“She’s prolific, but we’re in constant contact. Once, every couple of months, I hear from Rebecca just saying, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ And I’ll say, ‘Hey! Would you like to come do this part? I’d love to talk to you about this thing.’ She’s always booked, but one of these days, it’ll work out for sure. I can’t give away the name of the character, but when I first got The Exorcist, she was one of my first phone calls.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director
The character Ferguson might portray remains undisclosed, and Flanagan has kept details tightly under wraps, suggesting he wants to deliver a truly memorable addition to the legendary horror franchise.
Flanagan’s Upcoming Projects Continue to Fuel Buzz
The year 2025 marked significant successes for Mike Flanagan. His adaptation of Stephen King’s The Life of Chuck received praise for exploring King’s work through a less conventional, non-horror lens. That same year, Flanagan also completed production on a new series based on Carrie, another King classic, which has now entered post-production. While a release date is not yet available, anticipation remains high as updates are expected to follow soon.
Looking ahead, Flanagan is heavily invested in developing a television adaptation of King’s The Dark Tower, regarded as one of the writer’s most ambitious projects. Flanagan advised fans to be patient, as the scope of The Dark Tower means it will require considerable time and care before more can be shared. At the same time, he continues to advance the development of The Exorcist reboot, potentially managing both of these complicated projects simultaneously.
If Flanagan is able to fully reinvent The Exorcist franchise without interference from figures like Jason Blum, fans and industry watchers alike expect that he will take the necessary time to ensure the next installment stands out in horror cinema. As Flanagan pushes forward with these major undertakings, each step he takes continues to keep Stephen King adaptations news and the horror community energized, and audiences eagerly await the next wave of updates.
