Mike Flanagan to exclude iconic score from new Exorcist film

Director Mike Flanagan has confirmed that the upcoming film, ‘The Exorcist: Martyrs’, will not feature Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’, the iconic musical theme associated with the original 1973 film.

Flanagan stated that the decision was a deliberate creative choice intended to establish a unique identity for the new installment. He explained that including the famous composition would feel like surrendering the film's own identity by relying on the legacy of William Friedkin’s masterpiece. The director noted that ‘Tubular Bells’ exists in a specific context within the original film and did not feel appropriate for his vision.

The new project follows the 2023 release ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and is slated for a 2027 release. Flanagan is expected to collaborate with the Newton Brothers to develop a new musical atmosphere for the franchise.