Scarlett Johansson to Lead Mike Flanagan's Radical New 'Exorcist' Film

Two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is set to star in the upcoming installment of The Exorcist franchise, a "radical new take" from writer-director Mike Flanagan. The casting, revealed by Deadline, signals a significant move by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Universal Pictures to revitalize the iconic horror series following the mixed reception of previous entries. The film will tell an entirely new story set within The Exorcist universe, explicitly not serving as a direct sequel to 2023's The Exorcist: Believer.

Johansson's involvement underscores the studio's commitment to a fresh direction for the franchise. The acclaimed actress recently helped relaunch the Jurassic World series with Jurassic World: Rebirth, which grossed nearly $869 million worldwide. This new role marks Johansson's first major foray into the horror genre, bringing her considerable talent to a property known for its intense psychological and supernatural themes.

Director Mike Flanagan expressed his enthusiasm for the casting, stating: > "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." Flanagan, renowned for his work on horror projects like The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, will also write and produce the film through his Red Room Pictures banner.

The decision to bring in top-tier talent follows the underperformance of The Exorcist: Believer, which earned $136.2 million globally against Universal's substantial $400 million investment for the franchise rights in 2021. With David Gordon Green, the director of Believer, stepping away from future installments, the studio sought a new creative vision to steer the series. The upcoming film is produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Flanagan's Red Room Pictures, with filming anticipated to take place in New York City.