Academy Award-nominated actress Scarlett Johansson has officially signed on to star in the upcoming Exorcist reboot from acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan. This major casting news signals a bold new direction for the iconic franchise following the disappointing performance of the 2023 installment.
A Fresh Vision for a Horror Classic
Mike Flanagan, the mastermind behind The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, will write and direct what's being described as a radical new take on the Exorcist mythology. Unlike the previously planned sequels, Flanagan's project will tell an original story while remaining set within the universe established by William Friedkin's 1973 masterpiece.
In an official statement obtained by The Wrap, Flanagan expressed his enthusiasm about working with Johansson: "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."
The production will be a collaboration between Flanagan's Red Room Pictures, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, and Morgan Creek Entertainment for Universal Pictures. While specific details about Johansson's character remain under wraps, her involvement marks a significant coup for the project.
Rescuing a Troubled Franchise
This new direction comes after Universal's ambitious plans for an Exorcist trilogy, for which they paid a staggering $400 million (£305m) for the rights, faltered with 2023's The Exorcist: Believer. The David Gordon Green-directed film received poor critical reception and underwhelmed at the box office, earning just $137 million (£105m) worldwide.
Flanagan's appointment represents a course correction for the franchise. The director has been vocal about his personal connection to the original film, stating previously: "The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it's an honour to have the chance to try something fresh, bold and terrifying within its universe."
Production Timeline and Future Plans
Fans eagerly anticipating the film will need to exercise patience, as production has not yet begun. In a June 2025 update on Tumblr, Flanagan confirmed that work on his Carrie adaptation for Amazon MGM Studios must conclude first, meaning the previously announced March 2026 release date is no longer feasible.
Johansson comes to the project following her role in Jurassic World: Rebirth and her directorial debut Eleanor the Great, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Her casting in Flanagan's Exorcist reboot represents a significant moment for horror cinema, pairing one of Hollywood's most bankable stars with one of the genre's most respected contemporary filmmakers.
