• News

It’s confirmed: Universal, Blumhouse et al. are reviving “THE EXORCIST” with Ellen Burstyn, David Gordon Green

It’s been rumored and speculated about, and now we know the true details of a planned film trilogy.

Universal and Peacock have announced their acquisition of worldwide rights to THE EXORCIST, and plans to expand on the world of the landmark William Peter Blatty novel and William Friedkin movie, in partnership with Blumhouse and Morgan Creek. Three new feature films will be produced, the first (set for release October 13, 2023) to be directed by David Gordon Green, who helmed the new HALLOWEENs for Universal and Blumhouse. HALLOWEEN KILLS’ Scott Teems collaborated on the story with Green and Danny McBride, to be scripted by Green and Peter Sattler. Ellen Burstyn will reprise her role of Chris MacNeil from the 1973 classic, with Oscar-nominated actor Leslie Odom Jr. also taking part.

“Blumhouse has always experienced incredible partnership from the team at Universal,” says Jason Blum, “and I’m grateful to Donna Langley and Jimmy Horowitz for believing in the vision of David’s film and having the foresight to be flexible with distribution, so the team feels topnotch support through the lifeline of the film. They’re committed to theatrical exhibition and will also serving streaming viewers well by bringing an exciting franchise like THE EXORCIST to Peacock too. I’m grateful to be working with David Robinson and the great team at Morgan Creek on this iconic franchise.”

Adds Morgan Creek president David Robinson, “There’s no better time to be joining forces with the team at Peacock, reuniting with the great team at Universal and finally getting to work with my friends at Blumhouse, than on this classic franchise. David Gordon Green, Danny McBride, Scott Teems and Peter Sattler have put together a compelling continuation of this iconic tale and I can’t wait to bring this to fans around the world.”

Read More

Get The Grim Reader.
Rue Morgue's free newsletter.
Editor's notes.
Cultural insight.
Curated horror across film, books, music, and art.
First looks.
Select previews.
No algorithms.
Join Free

Advertisement

In Print Since 1997

Issue 231

Rue Morgue #231 Jul/Aug 2026

Plus

Inside Rue Morgue #231 – Summer Slasher Issue FEATURES Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun’s TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA guts the slasher formula from the inside out, turning it into a romance about the horror of becoming who you were always meant to be. Plus! GILLIAN ANDERSON and HANNAH EINBINDER unpack Schoenbrun’s radical dismemberment of…

Issue 230

Rue Morgue #230 May/Jun 2026 – RARE

Plus

Inside Rue Morgue #230 FEATURES Filmmaker Curry Barker transforms a simple wish into a spiralling nightmare of love, possession, and bloodshed in his breakout feature OBSESSION. Plus: The story of Barker’s found-footage shocker MILK & SERIAL, which turned a micro-budget experiment into a viral horror breakout. Hollywood made it a monster. History tells a different…

Issue 229

Rue Morgue #229 Mar/Apr 2026

Plus

Inside Rue Morgue #229! FEATURES A nerve-shredding found-footage thriller built around sound, UNDERTONE signals the arrival of a terrifying new voice in Canada’s booming independent horror scene. Plus! Meet the new breed of independent Canadian horror filmmakers behind DREAM EATER, SWEETNESS, HANGASHORE, THE LAND OF NOD and THE CURSE OF GHOST ISLAND. Part post-punk, part…

Issue 228

Rue Morgue #228 Jan/Feb 2026

Plus

Inside Rue Morgue #228! FEATURES He fascinated audiences in 2001 with the French period martial arts horror film BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF. Then he followed it up in 2006 by bringing the eerie world of SILENT HILL to cinematic life. Now, visionary director CHRISTOPHE GANS unleashes his latest nightmare with RETURN TO SILENT HILL. Plus!…