Mike Flanagan has long been known for being a fan of collaborations. Lovingly dubbed “The Flanafam,” the iconic helmer has brought back many of his previous actors when he moves onward to different projects. Now, it’s Chiwetel Ejiofor’s turn. Today, a report revealed that the actor, who recently paired with the director for his latest Stephen King adaptation, The Life of Chuck, will now join the ever-growing cast of Flanagan’s The Exorcist installment. The Academy Award-nominated performer is the latest to be named on the call sheet, following the recent castings of Scarlett Johansson, Jacobi Jupe and Diane Lane. At this time, character details have not been announced.

Production will soon get underway in New York City for what will be the seventh installment to come from the celebrated franchise that got its start all the way back in 1973 courtesy of filmmaker William Friedkin and writer William Peter Blatty. Although numerous other installments have spun off of the original, the Doctor Sleep director has previously revealed that his take will give audiences something completely different from what they’ve seen in the past. Along with helming, Flanagan also penned the script and will produce under his Red Room Pictures with the company’s Alexandra Magistro executive producing. Additionally, Morgan Creek Entertainment’s David Robinson will produce with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster’s Jason Blum and Ryan Turek joining as producer and executive producer, respectively. The feature is due in cinemas next year on March 12.

Flanagan has teased that his new film will be a “radical” take on the original film series, and will have nothing to do with 2023’s box office bomb, The Exorcist: Believer. The director’s involvement was music to the ears of both his fans and those who have stuck with the franchise over numerous hits and a few misses during its decades-long existence. Given that the Midnight Mass helmer is going in such a different direction, it’s incredibly likely that the two women who helped make the first movie the massive success that it was — Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair — won’t reprise their roles as the mother-daughter duo who took on the forces of the devil so many years ago.

Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mike Flanagan’s Previous Pairing

Ejiofor led the charge during the first act of Flanagan’s recent King adaptation, The Life of Chuck. The incredibly heartfelt and moving film wasn’t the director or legendary author’s usual cup of tea as, instead of leaning into the horror, it spoke to the beauty of life with a bit of a sci-fi and supernatural edge. With plenty of solid reviews from audiences and critics alike, the one-of-a-kind movie was one of 2024’s most underappreciated and snubbed titles on the award season circuit.

Stay tuned to Collider for more about Flanagan’s The Exorcist.