The rebooted Exorcist franchise from Universal and Blumhouse has hit another road block, with news that David Gordon Green is departing the project to focus on his production of Nutcrackers starring Ben stiller, and on season 4 of the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones.

Green directed last year’s The Exorcist: Believer, which was a box office flop. He was then attached to direct the reboot’s sequel, titled The Exorcist: Deceiver, which was due to release in cinemas on April 18th, 2025. Universal has since removed the project from its release schedule.

The news of David Gordon Green ‘s departure does not come as a huge surprise, after he cast doubt on his return to the franchise in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Despite having signed on to helm all three films of the rebooted trilogy, he stated: “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. But right now, I’m navigating it from a story perspective and looking at my realities of life as I pivot.”

For now, the search for a new director for The Exorcist: Deceiver is underway, so stay tuned for updates!