The Exorcist's Director Breaks Silence with Electrifying Update on Future of Believer's Trilogy!

Summary

David Gordon Green is cautious about directing the next two movies in The Exorcist trilogy, leaving room to potentially pass the reins to another director.

Green has a planned road map for the next two movies, but desires the freedom to deviate from the established structure and explore any creative opportunities that may surface. The potential timing of the sequels' release dates might impact Green's position as director, since finding a replacement would have to be completed by year-end to ensure a seamless production cycle.

Co-writer/director David Gordon Green has offered a cautious update on his involvement in The Exorcist: Believer trilogy. Despite having a sequel confirmed, Green mentioned that he is open to potentially allowing someone else to direct the next two movies. While he has "built a road map" for the follow-ups, he wants to give himself the flexibility to deviate from his plan. Here's what Green had to say when asked about the trilogy plans for his legacy sequel:

We’ll see, we’ll see. The objective is to construct a comprehensive road map that presents numerous potential paths. The expansive realms of exorcism and possession intrigue me greatly, as the world of spirituality holds countless unanswered questions. As the movie continues to unfold in the coming weeks, I anticipate that many of these queries will find resolution. I have developed a detailed plan for the next two movies. However, it is essential for me not to become overly rigid or committed to a specific structure or concept, allowing myself the flexibility to embrace unexpected opportunities, improvisations, or detours that hold an alluring appeal. The moments that arise from frustration or unforeseen circumstances, like when you were longing for sunshine but discover something amazing amidst the rain, can be incredibly enriching and creative for me. Thus, it is crucial to have a solid plan and a competent team, while also being open to adapt and enjoy the unpredictable moments that arise.

Should Green Pass The Exorcist Sequels To Another Director?

Green's indication that he might hand over the reins to another director for the next two Exorcist sequels may not come as a surprise. The co-writer/director had previously mentioned his contemplation of quitting the horror genre altogether before agreeing to lead Believer. The swift acquisition of the franchise rights and the development of what he considered to be the perfect concept convinced him to stay within the genre. However, he also stated that he would approach it from a more intellectually dramatic standpoint rather than focusing solely on horror.

That being said, it does raise the question whether he should pass on the follow-ups to another director if he wants to keep his options and the trilogy's options open. Unlike the recent Star Wars sequel trilogy, where Rian Johnson has indicated that he had no clear plan for The Last Jedi, Green has a complete plan in place for The Exorcist sequels. This would allow another filmmaker to seamlessly fit into the story without disrupting anything set up in Believer.

The main factor in Green's potential return for the rest of The Exorcist: Believer's trilogy is the tight timeline that Blumhouse and Universal Pictures are aiming for in releasing the remaining sequels. The first follow-up, Deceiver, is already set to be released on April 18, 2025. This gives Green and the studios enough time to search for another filmmaker, but it's still soon enough that they need to find one before the end of the year. This is necessary to ensure a smooth production cycle and to leave room for any necessary additional filming to accommodate any changes Green makes to his trilogy plans.

Source: Collider