Common is sticking with their plan to make a trilogy of Exorcist sequels, however they may be reworked after Believer’s poor reception
An Exorcist sequel being poorly acquired isn’t something new. Except for the unique movie and The Exorcist III, these usually are not extremely popular movies, with Exorcist II: The Heretic typically developing as one of many worst sequels ever made. (You possibly can see our rating of the Exorcist films HERE.) So the truth that the newly launched The Exorcist: Believer (our assessment could be learn at THIS LINK) isn’t going over properly with critics or the final viewers isn’t a lot of a shock. It’s, nonetheless, a disappointment for Common Footage, since they and the Peacock streaming service forked over an quantity someplace within the vary of $400 million to amass the rights to distribute a brand new trilogy of Exorcist sequels from Blumhouse Productions and director David Gordon Inexperienced, a workforce the studio and streamer had simply labored with on a trilogy of Halloween sequels. Based on The Hollywood Reporter, Common will nonetheless be transferring ahead with the deliberate follow-ups to The Exorcist: Believer, hoping to make a few of their a reimbursement… however the sequels may be reworked on their approach to manufacturing.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that The Exorcist: Believer was initially monitoring to drag in 30 to 35 million on the home field workplace over its opening weekend, however the closing rely ended up being $26.5 million. “Abroad, Believer opened to $17.6 million from its first 52 markets for a delicate international begin of $44.2 million.” No less than that covers the $30 million price range.
David Herrin, the founding father of the monitoring and analysis agency The Quorum, stated, “Even when it had opened to $35 million — as monitoring from final week prompt — that might have been a disappointment. Bringing again beloved IP doesn’t imply you’ll match the heights of those statistical anomalies [like Blumhouse’s 2018 Halloween reboot, which opened to a stunning $76.2 million]. You’re setting your self up for failure.“
Fortunately, Common doesn’t have to only rely on field workplace numbers to make their $400 million again. The Peacock streaming numbers and the cash made by way of the tie-in haunted home that’s a part of the Halloween Horror Nights occasion at their theme parks may also assist.
As of proper now, The Hollywood Reporter is being instructed that “Common stays firmly possessed by its new IP — two extra Exorcist movies will nonetheless be made. However sources say Believer’s reception will virtually actually demand some extent of inventive re-think for the following two movies. The primary sequel is meant to be referred to as The Exorcist: Deceiver, which was introduced for 2025 and has a accomplished script. Director Inexperienced was likewise anticipated to return, however he lately expressed some doubt about his participation.“
Inexperienced lately instructed The Hollywood Reporter, “My intention is simply to start out making issues, and as these plans come collectively, if I discover myself in that [The Exorcist: Deceiver] director’s chair, I’d be thrilled… However proper now, I’m navigating it from a narrative perspective and my realities of life as I pivot. One of many issues that’s been actually nice between these horror franchises is doing that comedy collection on HBO, The Righteous Gem stones. So it’s enjoyable to have the ability to step away, take a deep breath, have a giant chuckle, after which get again to work within the style.”
Movie insider Jeff Sneider did say months in the past that he heard Inexperienced was beginning to really feel franchise fatigue after making three Halloweens and an Exorcist sequel in a row, so it’s not laborious to think about that the back-to-back poor reception of Halloween Ends and The Exorcist: Believer may persuade him to step away from horror sequels for some time. We’ll simply have to attend and see the way it all performs out.
Common is planning to get The Exorcist: Deceiver into theatres on April 18, 2025.
How do you assume Common, Blumhouse, and David Gordon Inexperienced ought to deal with the way forward for the Exorcist franchise? Share your ideas on this one by leaving a remark beneath.