Scarlett Johansson has been cast as the lead in a new Exorcist horror film series, with Variety and other outlets reporting on the 24th that she will star in the upcoming project produced by Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster. Mike Flanagan, known for directing Doctor Sleep and the series The Haunting of Hill House, will direct, write, and produce.
Flanagan shared his excitement, noting Johansson’s ability to deliver authentic and compelling performances across both independent films and major blockbusters.
Although set within the same universe as the 1973 William Friedkin classic, this new film is not a sequel to the 2023 release The Exorcist Believer and is described as a completely new interpretation of the franchise. Plot details and additional casting have not yet been revealed, and filming will take place in New York.
Universal purchased the rights to develop a new Exorcist trilogy in 2021 for 400 million USD, but the first installment Believer underperformed with a global total of 136 million USD, a stark contrast to the original film’s 441 million USD and ten Academy Award nominations.
Johansson recently helped revive another major franchise with Jurassic World Dominion, which earned 868 million USD worldwide, and she received Oscar nominations for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit before making her directorial debut this year with Eleanor the Great, which earned strong reviews.
