‘Exorcist’ Sequel Loses David Gordon Green and Release Date

Universal is retooling 'The Deceiver' following the backlash to 'Believer.'

Universal is retooling 'The Deceiver' following the backlash to 'Believer.'

exorcist deciver loses director release date

This comes as no surprise as the sequel to The Exorcist: Believer loses director David Gordon Green and with that also its release date.

The Exorcist: Believer bombed at the box office bringing in only $136 million following Universal buying up the rights for $400 million.

The flick also bombed with both the critics and fans alike as the Rotten Tomatoes Score is a 22% and the Audience Score is 59%.

Similar to what David Gordon Green did with the Halloween reboot, The Exorcist: Believer was meant to drum up excitement for a new trilogy.

david gordon green
David Gordon Green on set

The Exorcist: Believer goes woke and tanks

However, it did just the opposite as fans completely rejected the film, which includes woke content where they brought back original actress Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil who says that the patriarchy wouldn’t let her be involved in the exorcism of her daughter — even though she’s not an exorcist. So it makes no sense to include that bit other than to shit on the original film, its creators, the fans, and of course, males.

To add to that, it’s also known that for whatever reason, they dropped the demon villain which was supposed to have a larger role in the film.

exorcist believer lamashtu
‘Believer’ demon

The Exorcist: Deceiver creative plan put into a tailspin

Following the low box office and response from the critics and fans, the trades reported plans for the sequel, The Exorcist: Deceiver, was put into a “creative tailspin” because of the response.

THR reported at the time there are plans to make two more Exorcist films, but said, “Believer’s reception will almost certainly demand some degree of creative rethink for the next two films.”

Now, just as I said, we see that creative rethink includes giving David Gordon Green the boot.

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What about The Exorcist: Deceiver release date?

Regarding the release date, originally The Exorcist: Deceiver was supposed to be released on April 18, 2025, but instead, Universal is now giving that date as part of the international rollout of Lionsgate’s Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael Jackson biopic Michael.

Green also previously doubted on his return.

“My intention is just to start making things, and as those plans come together, if I find myself in that [The Exorcist: Deceiver] director’s chair, I’d be thrilled,” Green told THR. “But right now, I’m navigating it from a story perspective and looking at my realities of life as I pivot.”

(Via THR)

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