Scarlett Johansson enters one of horror’s most iconic universes and joins the next Exorcist film from Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.
The new film is being shaped by Mike Flanagan, who is writing, directing and producing what is described as a “radical new take” on the classic franchise.
The original from 1973 Exorcist sets the bar for the genre by telling the story of a desperate mother who turns to two priests to help her possessed young daughter.
The film became a huge critical and box office success, earning $441 million worldwide and earning 10 Academy Award nominations.
Universal then invested $400 million to revive the franchise with a new trilogy, although the first attempt was in 2023. The Exorcist: Believerdidn’t kick off the sequel the studio was hoping for despite grossing $136 million overall.
This next episode will not continue the Believer scenario. Instead, it will exist in the same universe as the original film, with plot details and casting beyond Johansson still under wraps. Filming is expected to begin in New York.
Flanagan praised the addition of Johansson, calling her “a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn’t be happier that she’s joining this film.” Exorcist movie.”
Known for projects like Doctor Sleep And Chuck’s lifeit returns to a space where character-driven storytelling and psychological tension thrive.
Johansson comes to the project after helping to revive another major Universal franchise with Renaissance of the Jurassic worldwhich reached $868 million worldwide.
Beyond his successful career and Oscar-nominated work in Marriage story And Jojo Rabbitshe also went behind the camera this year for her first film, Eleanor the Great.
Its casting adds momentum to a franchise looking for a new spark, and fans can expect this next chapter to go in a new direction while remaining connected to the legacy of one of the most influential horror films.
