Laurence Fishburne Joins Scarlett Johansson in Mike Flanagan’s THE EXORCIST Film
Laurence Fishburne is heading back into dark, unsettling territory, and this time he’s doing it inside The Exorcist universe. The actor has officially joined Scarlett Johansson in a brand-new entry in the legendary horror franchise, The Exorcist: Martyrs, with Mike Flanagan steering the nightmare as writer and director.
This new take on The Exorcist isn’t tied to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer and won’t be continuing that storyline. Instead, the film is telling a completely original story, which already makes it feel like a fresh creative swing rather than a retread.
Universal Pictures has locked in a wide theatrical release for March 2027, with production set to take place in New York City.
Fishburne joins an impressive ensemble that includes Johansson, Jacobi Jupe from Hamnet, Diane Lane, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. His role is being kept under wraps, but with his presence alone, expectations immediately jump a few levels.
Fishburne has a way of commanding the screen, especially in material that leans heavy and intense, which makes him a fascinating addition to this franchise.
Horror fans already know Flanagan’s reputation for character-driven scares, and this project is being produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster alongside Morgan Creek Entertainment. Flanagan is producing through his Red Room Pictures banner.
Fishburne’s career spans more than five decades and hits nearly every corner of film, television, and theater. Many fans still associate him most strongly with Morpheus from The Matrix franchise, but his résumé runs deep.
He made his film debut at just 15 years old in Apocalypse Now and went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for What’s Love Got to Do with It.
His body of work includes Boyz n the Hood, The Color Purple, Mystic River, Deep Cover, and King of New York.
Universal has already locked in a theatrical release date, with the new The Exorcist set to hit theaters on Friday, March 12, 2027.
Source: Variety