Curious about the casting of the next Exorcist film The project is real, and it sits with writer director Mike Flanagan at Universal and Blumhouse, announced on 26 June 2024 by Deadline. As of today, the studio has not confirmed a single actor. That is the headline answer people search for.
Context matters. Universal pulled the previously scheduled sequel The Exorcist: Deceiver from its 18 April 2025 slot on 8 January 2024, reported by Variety, after The Exorcist: Believer opened in October 2023 to mixed reception. The franchise rights deal that set all this in motion was a reported 400 million dollars in 2021, covered by The New York Times. So yes, a major reboot is on the runway, but casting remains under wraps.
The Exorcist casting today: what is official, what is not
Official status first. Universal and Blumhouse confirmed Mike Flanagan is writing and directing a new Exorcist feature. They did not confirm returning stars, new leads, or character details. No trade publication has published cast deals as of the latest updates.
Fans keep asking about Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair. Ellen Burstyn returned as Chris MacNeil in The Exorcist: Believer, released 6 October 2023 in the United States. Linda Blair made an appearance linked to Regan MacNeil. For Flanagan’s film, neither actor has been announced. That is the only accurate way to frame it.
Speculation swirls because Flanagan often collaborates with Carla Gugino, Kate Siegel, Bruce Greenwood, and Rahul Kohli. Past habits tempt predictions. Still, the director’s announcement did not list regulars or even genre tone beyond the brand. Any social media shortlists are just that, rumor. Readers deserve clarity, not guesses.
How we got here: from Believer numbers to a reset with Mike Flanagan
The last film set the immediate backdrop. The Exorcist: Believer grossed about 136 million dollars worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo tallies, following its early October 2023 debut. It launched with a domestic weekend in the mid twenties in millions and trailed off as word of mouth settled in. Reviews trended negative across major aggregators.
Universal then adjusted course. Variety reported on 8 January 2024 that The Exorcist: Deceiver, previously parked on the 2025 calendar, was removed. Development shifted. Five months later, on 26 June 2024, Deadline broke that Mike Flanagan would lead a new take, billed as a fresh entry rather than a direct follow up to Believer. That change explains why casting questions surged again.
Flanagan arrives with a specific track record. He directed Doctor Sleep, which grossed roughly 72 million dollars worldwide in 2019 per Box Office Mojo, and delivered multiple acclaimed series in the horror space. That history suggests a character first approach, careful ensemble casting, and a measured production pace. Not a rush job. Which is why casting silence to date lines up with a methodical reset.
When to expect casting news and what signals to watch
Studios typically reveal leads once the script is locked, schedules align, and production calendars are firm. With Flanagan only announced in late June 2024, the subsequent months likely focused on script work and packaging. That phase rarely comes with daily headlines.
Practical markers help. A dated production start, a filming location filing, or union production listings often arrive just before major cast reveals. Trade outlets like Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety tend to publish those first. Studio press notes then follow with full character breakdowns and supporting roles.
One more piece of context. The 2021 rights figure, reported as 400 million dollars, signals a long horizon for Universal and Blumhouse. They will want casting that travels globally, fits a modern Exorcist story, and balances legacy with new audience appeal. That is a careful jigsaw. Rushing would risk repeating recent missteps, which no one involved has any appetite for after Believer’s mixed response.
So the bottom line for anyone who just wants names The next Exorcist film has no confirmed cast yet. Universal and Blumhouse tasked Mike Flanagan with a new installment, announced 26 June 2024. The prior sequel plan left the calendar on 8 January 2024. The franchise deal from 2021 sits at an often cited 400 million dollars. Expect the first casting drops to hit the trades once the script phase locks and production dates surface. Until then, any fancast recieved on social feeds remains exactly that, a wish list.