Mike Flannagan has become synonymous with horror both on the big and small screen, and he’ll continue this legacy with his new production company, Red Room Pictures. Flanagan has become a household name with movies like Doctor Sleep as well as his numerous Netflix horror series, beginning with The Haunting of Hill House. Flannagan recently announced that he will be helming his next two projects, the new Exorcist reboot and The Life of Chuck, under the banner of his production company, after parting ways with Intrepid Pictures in May. However, he will continue to collaborate with Intrepid Pictures and re-team with Blumhouse.

Flanagan is the perfect director to take on the world of The Exorcist with a fresh take on the story. After The Exorcist: Believer failed to impress at the box office or with critics, Blumhouse and Universal decided to go in a new direction. Originally conceived as a trilogy this new Exorcist movie will be set in the world of the Exorcist, but tell a completely new story instead of following the events of The Exorcist: Believer. This will give Flanagan the freedom to explore the world in a completely new way. Flanagan credits The Exorcist as one of the movies that got him into filmmaking, which likely means he has been contemplating this world for years.

The Life Of Chuck Will Show Mike Flanagan’s Skills As A Filmmaker Outside Of Horror

Flanagan has proven himself to be a master at scares both with adaptations that are new takes on classic stories and completely original tales, both of which could be key factors to his approach to The Exorcist. Flanagan will also return to the world of Stephen King after directing Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game with The Life of Chuck, based on the story from King’s novella If It Bleeds. However, The Life of Chuck could prove to be the perfect movie to show Flanagan’s range as a filmmaker as it doesn’t fall into the horror genre that both Flanagan and King are known for.

Instead, The Life of Chuck is more akin to King’s dramatic work like Shawshank Redemption, according to star Tom Hiddleston, who will play Charles “Chuck” Krantz. Flanagan is working with a star-studded cast to bring this soulful story to life and will show how his years of experience in the horror genre can translate into other styles of storytelling. Flannagan’s Red Room Pictures will have a strong showing out of the gate with the director helming one of the most iconic horror franchises and a new King adaptation.

Red Room Pictures will give Flanagan the opportunity to take on new opportunities by choosing which stories he wants to tell. The Life of Chuck is the perfect example of how Flanagan can experiment as a filmmaker, moving beyond audience expectations as he plays in new genres. Launching with The Exorcist and The Life of Chuck, the question now becomes what will Flanagan and Red Room Pictures tackle next?