Renowned horror director Mike Flanagan has big plans to bring new life to the iconic “The Exorcist” series. Flanagan, known for his adaptations of Stephen King works and acclaimed Netflix series, recently discussed his vision for the franchise in an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Flanagan is attending the festival for the premiere of “The Life of Chuck,” but his focus remains on horror. The director sees an opportunity in reviving “The Exorcist” after the disappointing performance of 2018’s “The Exorcist: Believer.” Flanagan aims to honor the original film while adding something new. “There’s no point going into a franchise unless you have something different to offer,” he said.
Rather than relying on nostalgia, Flanagan wants to push the boundaries of terror. “This is a chance to do something the franchise has never seen,” he explained. His goal is to craft a film that both longtime fans and new audiences will find thrilling. Taking on such an iconic property carries high expectations, but Flanagan stated, “I really just saw a chance to make the scariest movie I’ve ever made.”
In addition to “The Exorcist,” Flanagan has several other projects in the works. One is an adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series, though it has faced delays from his move to a new studio and recent strikes. He also spoke about “Revival,” a King adaptation he had to pass on due to commitment to another film.
Flanagan juggles multiple major projects at once. As he moves forward with reinventing the classic “The Exorcist,” fans wait eagerly to see his fresh vision for the legendary horror franchise.
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