The hairs on your neck stand up. A chill you can’t explain settles in the pit of your stomach. It’s the feeling that *something* is wrong, a primal dread whispering of unseen horrors—the kind Mike Flanagan conjures effortlessly. And now, the master of modern horror is assembling a powerhouse cast for his new vision of The Exorcist, and the latest addition promises to send shivers down your spine.
Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix) was just announced as the latest addition, following yesterday’s news that Chiwetel Ejiofor (Doctor Strange) was also cast. They join Scarlett Johansson and Diane Lane—making for the combined power of four Oscar nominees—plus tween actor Jacobi Jupe, currently on screens breaking hearts as Shakespeare’s tragic son in Hamnet.
The Exorcist will film in New York City and is scheduled to hit theaters March 12, 2027.
Flanagan also has Prime Video’s Carrie series coming soon—there’s no release date yet—which features a cast sprinkled with faces familiar to fans of his Netflix horror series, including The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher.
Flanagan’s most recent big-screen release, 2025’s The Life of Chuck, was a departure from his usual horror path, though it was based on a tale by frequent Flanagan collaborator Stephen King.
Back in 2024, Flanagan teased that he viewed The Exorcist as an opportunity to make the scariest movie he could dream up—and with his track record so far of scaring the hell out of people and this caliber of cast to back him up, we’re all bracing ourselves.
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Why This Casting Matters
Think about the last time you saw a truly great horror film. It wasn’t just the jump scares or the gore, was it? It was the performances that sold the terror, the actors who made you believe in the unbelievable. Flanagan understands this implicitly. His projects aren’t just horror shows; they are character studies wrapped in dread, and he casts accordingly. Fishburne, with his gravitas and intensity, adds a layer of credibility that elevates the entire project. He’s not just an actor; he’s a force.
Will this Exorcist movie ignore the others?
Flanagan is intentionally distancing his film from the more recent, less successful entries in The Exorcist franchise, particularly the 2023 film. It’s a smart move. He’s essentially creating a new entry point, a fresh canvas upon which to paint his nightmare. This new film won’t be burdened by the baggage of its predecessors. Flanagan has the freedom to explore the themes of faith, possession, and the battle between good and evil without being shackled to existing storylines or characters. It’s a chance to reclaim the franchise’s legacy.
Flanagan’s Formula for Fear
Horror, in the wrong hands, can be cheap. Jump scares become repetitive. Gore becomes gratuitous. But Flanagan’s horror is different. He builds suspense slowly, like a tightening coil. He understands that true fear comes from the things we don’t see, the things that lurk in the shadows of our minds. His secret? He marries genuine human drama with supernatural terror. The characters feel real, their struggles relatable. His new *Exorcist* is not just about demons; it’s a mirror reflecting our deepest anxieties.
What other horror projects is Mike Flanagan working on?
Besides The Exorcist, Flanagan is also developing a Carrie series for Prime Video. As with many of his projects, expect a blend of familiar faces and fresh talent, creating a family of actors who understand his vision and can deliver the nuanced performances his stories demand. His stable of recurring actors, drawn from shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, provides a shorthand, a shared understanding of the Flanagan aesthetic. It’s like a repertory company dedicated to scaring you senseless. He’s like the Guillermo del Toro of episodic TV, drawing the best talent to realize his vision.
A Release Date Looming…
March 12, 2027. Mark your calendars. The release date is a distant point on the horizon, but Flanagan’s Exorcist is already casting a long shadow. Three years may seem like an eternity, but Flanagan is meticulous. He builds worlds with painstaking detail. He crafts characters with depth and nuance. He doesn’t rush the process. And that, ultimately, is why his work resonates. He’s not just making a movie; he’s building an experience. A terrifying, unforgettable experience.
How is this Exorcist different from previous movies?
Reports suggest that Flanagan’s vision intends to be more than just a sequel; it’s being eyed as a potential reimagining. That means viewers can anticipate a fresh perspective on the classic tale, rather than another rehash of familiar territory. This approach gives Flanagan creative license to explore new themes, characters, and interpretations of demonic possession, potentially setting his Exorcist apart from its predecessors in significant ways. Will it recapture the groundbreaking terror of the original, or will it fall prey to the same pitfalls as so many horror reboots?
So, with Fishburne now on board, are you prepared to face the darkness Flanagan is about to unleash?