Scarlett Johansson Set to Star in Mike Flanagan’s New EXORCIST Movie
Horror fans just got a seriously exciting update on the future of The Exorcist franchise. A fresh and radical take is officially moving forward, and Scarlett Johansson is stepping in to star in the next chapter from filmmaker Mike Flanagan.
Flanagan, who is writing and directing the film, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn’t be happier to have her join this Exorcist film.”
This new movie arrives after 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer didn’t do well at the box office, earning $65.5 million in the U.S. and Canada and $136.2 million worldwide, a disappointing result considering Universal, Peacock and Blumhouse paid $400 million for the rights in 2021.
With David Gordon Green leaving the next installment, the studio began meeting with top talent to reset the franchise’s direction.
Johansson emerged as the standout choice, especially after helping revive the Jurassic World series this past summer with Jurassic World: Rebirth, which scored close to $869 million globally.
After meeting with Flanagan and producers, she officially signed on to lead this new reinvention. Insiders say scheduling needed some arranging because of her other projects, but this Exorcist film is expected to be her next major shoot.
This marks Johansson’s first fully committed horror role in her long and successful career, adding yet another genre to her impressive list of film projects.
This upcoming entry is not a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer. Instead, it explores an all new story set within the broader Exorcist universe. The film is being produced by Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment and Flanagan through his Red Room Pictures banner.
Alexandra Magistro will executive produce for Red Room Pictures. David Robinson is producing for Morgan Creek Entertainment, with Jason Blum serving as producer for Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Ryan Turek on board as executive producer.
Johansson’s career continues to evolve in fascinating ways. She recently made her directorial debut with the Sony Pictures Classics drama Eleanor the Great, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Audiences will soon see her in James Gray’s Paper Tiger alongside Miles Teller and Adam Driver. She has earned a long list of accolades throughout her career, including a Tony Award for A View From the Bridge and a BAFTA win for Lost in Translation. In 2019 she scored two Academy Award nominations in the same year for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit, joining a short list of performers to achieve that milestone.
With Johansson taking the lead and Flanagan steering the creative vision, this new Exorcist entry could end up being a great film.
Source: Deadline